New law on child exploitation by drug dealers in Labour crime crackdown

Police search a suspected drug dealer in the northern quarter of Manchester. A neighbourhood policing guarantee with increased visibility of officers will also be announced in the king’s speech. Photograph: Chris Bull/Alamy

Drug dealers who exploit children will face punishment under a new law as part of a crackdown on crime planned by the new Labour government.

The king’s speech, due on 17 July, is expected to outline measures including a new offence of child criminal exploitation, Labour sources confirmed, among a series of new laws and reforms across the policing and justice system.