'Please do more to dismantle drug gangs' plead Manx parents

Concerned parents highlight their fears about drug crime on the Isle of Man

Parents on the Isle of Man are urging police, and the Manx Government, to do more to stop their children from becoming embroiled in drug gangs.

Manx Radio has been contacted by a number of concerned mothers and fathers who say they’re fearful that their children are being exploited.

This mother, who has asked to remain anonymous, has a 16-year-old who has been arrested numerous times for being in possession of illegal substances. 

After months of providing authorities with what she says is key information about drug dealers she approached Manx Radio to highlight her concerns.

You can listen to her story here:

"Brainwashed"

This woman is one of a number of parents who've shared their experiences with Manx Radio. 

This person, who has asked to remain anonymous, told us they'd received no help from the police or social services since their son was introduced to drug culture at the age of 14. 

They say they want to see police focussing on 'local dealers not the big top dogs' adding their son was exploited and used as a 'drug runner' - something they only became aware of when he was arrested for drug possession when he was 15. 

This is their story:

"He has had to be taken out of our family home because he has been brainwashed by drug culture thinking it's a cool, fun lifestyle and my biggest fear is the violence that comes with drug related crime. 

"I know of some teenagers, under the age of 16, who have been hospitalised over small drug debts and some occasions even stabbed. 

"I've spoken to the Minister for Home Affairs, police, social services and Douglas South MHKs to ask for police officers to focus more on young local dealers aged between 14 and 30 and asked that these particular groups be dismantled.

"I also think the courts aren't giving appropriate sentences to local drug dealers - most of them only seem to get suspended sentences and probation which doesn't deter them. Most of them continue to deal during their probation and suspended sentence. 

"Social services, police and the government aren't doing enough when parents raise concerns to them it's just brushed under the carpet.

"I did everything I can to remove my child from drug gang culture but (on) every council estate in Douglas there's high level of drug crime, and recently knife crime, we're asking for more to be done to protect young people from this culture." 

"Targeted"

Other parents have shared similar concerns. 

This woman told Manx Radio her son had been 'groomed' by 'violent drug gangs' saying she believed social services and the police had failed him.

"So many teenagers are being groomed - offered a nice new phone or designer clothes from Flannels in exchange for money laundering and selling drugs. My son who has learning difficulties and ADHD was targeted by one gang who were aged 20-25." - Parent

Another claimed they knew of 11 and 12-year-old boys being offered drugs in a park in Pulrose and adding they'd 'lost faith' in the police. 

"They haven't been acting on intel provided by residents regarding children selling drugs and recently knife crime." - Parent 

And this individual told Manx Radio the installation of CCTV, in their local area, had helped reduce anti-social behaviour adding that before it was introduced officers were being called on a 'nightly or almost nightly basis' to deal with problems including suspected drug dealing. 

"Exploitation" 

Manx Radio invited the Isle of Man Government to respond to the concerns highlighted by the parents who contacted us. 

In a statement the government said drugs and exploitation were issues being taken seriously by all agencies involved including the police, Manx Care, Youth Justice and the Safeguarding Board who are working together to 'protect and support vulnerable children'. 

"The issue of drugs and exploitation is something all agencies are acutely aware of.

"That’s why, in September 2022, the Safeguarding Board launched its multi-agency Vulnerable Adolescent’s Strategy.

"This strategy addresses the issues of exploitation and identifies the best multi-agency measures to put in place when dealing with vulnerable or exploited children.

"There have been a number of changes made in the way agencies work together to identify, support and intervene where children and young people are at risk of exploitation.  

"This includes the development of the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) that sees a number of agencies working together in the same place, which enables appropriate sharing of information to support the protection and safeguarding of children and young people identified as at risk.

"If a concern is raised about an individual child, parents and agencies will work together to risk assess the young person in order to determine next steps.

"Any measures that are put in place are unlikely to have an immediate effect. This is because of the complex nature of exploitation and any actions taken are dependent on a number of factors, including the engagement of the young person in the discussions and interventions.

"There are many barriers which might stop a young person engaging with agencies, such as: fear of repercussions, continuing to engage in the lifestyle with financial rewards and gifts and not seeing the personal risks to them and their families.

"This is why the work with these children and young people is so important and the agencies involved are continually reviewing and developing the services that are provided.

"There is also significant training and awareness raising around exploitation taking place in our education settings with young people, this is facilitated by the community police officers that are attached to the individual schools.

"Children who are living outside of their families for any reason, who are looked after by Manx Care, are cared for in foster placements or residential settings.

"Like any other young person, these children do not have their liberty restricted and are not locked into their home, unless for legal or welfare reasons they are looked after in the secure setting of Cronk Solysh."

Support

If any parent, or member of the public, has any safeguarding concerns in relation to children they can contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01624 686179 or, if there is an immediate concern, police on 999.