Yvette Cooper anounces robust new baby exploitation and cuckooing legal guidelines TODAY

Tough new laws targeting gangs who recruit children and take over homes will be put before MPs next week.

The Government will unveil long-promised legislation creating a new child exploitation offence – with those convicted facing up to 10 years behind bars. Ministers say it will be a key tool to tackle county lines gangs who rely on youngsters to sell drugs and campaigners brand it a “vital step forward”.

The Crime and Policing Bill, to be put before Parliament on Tuesday, will also create a new offence of cuckooing. This happens when the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by criminals to use for drug dealing, sex work or to financially abuse the victim.

Those found guilty will be jailed for up for five years. Campaigners have welcomed the measures, will will make it a criminal offence for adults to use a child to commit a criminal offence such as drug running or organised robbery. The Home Office says at least 14,500 children were at risk or involved in criminal exploitation. But weak laws mean authorities are powerless to act in most cases.

Mark Russell, chief executive at The Children’s Society, said: “This new offence is a vital step forward that we have been campaigning for over the years. A standalone crime of child criminal exploitation will finally shift the focus onto perpetrators, not victims.

“For too long, adults who groom children into criminal activity – forcing them to hold drugs or launder money or commit theft – have evaded accountability. Charges such as drug possession ignore the core truth; these are child abusers exploiting vulnerable young people.”

The legislation will also include new child criminal exploitation orders limiting a criminal’s right to work with youngsters, go to certain places or contact specific people. Those who breach these could be jailed for five years.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The exploitation of children and vulnerable people for criminal gain is sickening and it is vital we do everything in our power to eradicate it from our streets.”

Baroness Anne Longfield, executive chair of the Centre for Young Lives, said: “The ruthless criminal exploitation of vulnerable children has been a brutal and lucrative business model for organised criminals for too long.

“It has had tragic consequences for thousands of young lives and has devastated families and communities.

“This change in the law is long overdue, very welcome, and will save lives.”