Swindon Police visited the town's station and some of its hotels in follow-up work for National Child Exploitation Awareness Day.
Say Something If You See Something was the theme for this year’s recent dedicated day, and as a follow-up, officers and staff from the dedicated Wiltshire Police Exploitation and Missing Team joined partners including Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council and British Transport Police (BTP) to visit several hotels, taxi ranks and railway stations.
Child exploitation, which remains ever-present in society, covers anything from the coercion of young people under 18 into sexual activity to children being forced to work for a County Lines drugs gang.
Some are also trafficked and are victims of modern slavery.
Detective Inspector Eirin Martin, head of the Exploitation and Missing Team, said: “Often child exploitation sits under the radar and so there are usually only subtle signs that this type of crime is taking place.
“Our intelligence work can help prevent this, but we need the public’s help too. To be our extra eyes and ears. To spot those signs in everyday situations.
“Please also note that those who do the exploiting are not necessarily your stereotypical criminal either. They can be individual men or women, groups or even other young people.
“Child Exploitation Awareness Day, which is supported by us and the multi-agency partners we regularly work with, encourages everyone to look out for the signs of abuse and sexual abuse in young people so we can help and remove them from harm.
“Please take a few minutes to learn more about child exploitation and what to do if you are concerned about a young person or group of young people you may know. Go to our website wiltshire.police.uk.
“Remember - say something if you see something.”
People are urged to look out for situations including:
- A withdrawn lone child at a railway station, bus stop, or fast-food outlet
- A single young person on their own or with an adult at a hotel or roadside services
- A child taking a taxi alone or with an adult who doesn’t seem quite right
- Any public place where a young person on their own would appear out of place
In addition to reporting online, people can call 101. If a crime is taking place they should call 999. People can also report anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.
Child exploitation, which remains ever-present in society, covers anything from the coercion of young people under 18 into sexual activity to children being forced to work for a County Lines drugs gang.
Some are also trafficked and are victims of modern slavery.
Detective Inspector Eirin Martin, head of the Exploitation and Missing Team, said: “Often child exploitation sits under the radar and so there are usually only subtle signs that this type of crime is taking place.
“Our intelligence work can help prevent this, but we need the public’s help too. To be our extra eyes and ears. To spot those signs in everyday situations.
“Please also note that those who do the exploiting are not necessarily your stereotypical criminal either. They can be individual men or women, groups or even other young people.
“Child Exploitation Awareness Day, which is supported by us and the multi-agency partners we regularly work with, encourages everyone to look out for the signs of abuse and sexual abuse in young people so we can help and remove them from harm.
“Please take a few minutes to learn more about child exploitation and what to do if you are concerned about a young person or group of young people you may know. Go to our website wiltshire.police.uk.
“Remember - say something if you see something.”
People are urged to look out for situations including:
- A withdrawn lone child at a railway station, bus stop, or fast-food outlet
- A single young person on their own or with an adult at a hotel or roadside services
- A child taking a taxi alone or with an adult who doesn’t seem quite right
- Any public place where a young person on their own would appear out of place
In addition to reporting online, people can call 101. If a crime is taking place they should call 999. People can also report anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.
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