A new virtual reality (VR) film about a boy who is groomed into drug running will be shown to secondary school pupils.
Bedfordshire Police is launching Lost Boys in the hope of "saving a generation" of young people from becoming county lines victims.
The film tells the fictional story of Rhys, a 14-year-old boy from Bedfordshire, who ends up behind bars after being exploited by a drugs gang.
Former gang member Ben Sturge said the film was "pioneering work" and the "authenticity of the victims and families is high-impact – it should be a catalyst for change".
Actor Max Potter, who plays Rhys, said: "If this film gets even one person to stop, think or speak out, it's done its job."
Year 8 pupils in Luton and Leighton Buzzard are among the first to watch the film on VR headsets.
Produced by RIVR and local theatre company Next Generation Youth Theatre, it is believed to be the first virtual reality film of its kind to be created by a police force.
Alongside the drama is a video of Ben, who describes how he "got into gang life at about the age of 15, 16".
He added: "I felt very responsible for the financial pressure on my family."
Ben said getting caught up with gangs did not "come out of fear – it's camouflaged in care, in friendship".
"The first time you get approached, you don't recognise it as criminality. You just think some cool kids want to hang around with you, and they've got nice things," he said.
"It always starts with some small task, that you don't really think there's any wrong doing it.
"But that's like the first step on the ladder, and then things start to progress.
"You find yourself in situations or around certain levels of violence that your own nightmares would be scared of."
The Violence & Exploitation Prevention Partnership, which is supporting the project, said county line gangs "in particular target young boys".
Its head, Cara Gavin, said: "We know child exploitation can affect anyone, which is why we're also urging all parents to be alert to the signs and reach out to one of the many organisations across Bedfordshire who can offer advice and support."
Bedfordshire Police said these can be signs someone is involved in county lines:
- repeatedly going missing from school or home and being found in other areas
- having money, new clothes or electronic devices and they can't explain how they paid for them
- getting high numbers of texts or phone calls, and being secretive about who they're speaking to
- decline in school or work performance
- significant changes in emotional or physical wellbeing
Max said working on Lost Boys was "powerful" as it highlighted the "hidden dangers many young people are facing".
"Playing Rhys, I saw how easily someone can be pulled in when they're vulnerable and looking for belonging," he said.
Ben said it was "a new take on a very old – too old – problem".
He added: "There's been endless amounts of work done on the topic, but this puts stuff that's powerful and impactful out there.
"The addition of modern technology makes the information acceptable to the younger generation."
Supt Alex House of Bedfordshire Police said: "These gangs are targeting young boys in towns and villages across our county, and we hope our Lost Boys campaign will shine a light on these issues and give people the confidence to speak up."
