A former criminal is backing a campaign to help prevent child exploitation.

Rhys, now 27, was introduced to crime at the age of eight when he was offered cash and a football in exchange for holding packages.

This regular occurrence pulled him into the local drug network, exposing him to years of violence and trauma.

Having left that life behind, Rhys has spent the past four years working as a youth mentor for the exploitation charity Escapeline.

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He educates young people about child exploitation and grooming, guiding them towards better life choices.

He is now supporting the 'Spot the Signs' campaign, which aims to educate young people and their families on recognising signs of exploitation.

Rhys, who was desensitised to drugs during his childhood, stresses the importance of early intervention and constant, non-judgmental support.

He said: "Prevention is better than cure.

"If you can prevent something from happening, it’s always better than trying to deal with the aftermath.

"If you can get to a child early on and educate them about it, and make them aware of what goes on in society, they will be more open to talking to someone because they’ve already been taught to speak to a trusted adult."

He also warns that many parents are unaware of their child's potential involvement in crime until it’s too late.

He encourages parents to be inquisitive about their children's lives, saying: "I always say being a nosy parent is the best type – the more interest you have in your children’s lives, the better it will be.

"You will know more about them, what they’re getting up to, who they’re hanging around with."

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Rhys points out key signs that a child might be being exploited.

These include sudden changes in behaviour, quitting sports to hang around with unfamiliar people, possession of extra phones or SIM cards, and coming home smelling of cannabis.

Rhys also calls on peers of potentially exploited children to speak out.

He said: "Our duty as someone’s friend is to care for and protect them – that’s what makes someone a friend.

"If you see your friend being involved in something and you’re not speaking up about it, you need to ask yourself whether you’re part of the solution or part of the problem."

He believes that expressing concerns to a trusted adult or teacher can be a good starting point in tackling the issue.

The 'Spot the Signs, Stop the Crime' campaign is a joint initiative by Wiltshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon.

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