Operation Makesafe - raising awareness of child exploitation

This week officers from Merseyside Police have been raising awareness with local businesses about how to spot the signs of child exploitation, as part of the national Operation Makesafe initiative. 

Child exploitation is when someone takes advantage of a child (under 18 years old) to commit crimes for them. They can be forced into selling drugs, couriering money or committing other crimes. Some forms of exploitation can also involve young people being coerced, manipulated or deceived into sexual activity. 

Many young people who are being exploited do not see themselves as victims. Criminals can be clever in the way they approach children, giving them gifts such as new clothes, or even buying them alcohol or drugs in return for committing crimes. 

Over the last week officers, accompanied by colleagues from Lancashire and Cheshire Constabularies, have visited seven premises including hotels, B & B’s and serviced apartments, conducting test purchases. They spoke to staff to highlight best practice and provide guidance to help staff to recognise, respond to and report concerns of child exploitation. 

Detective Sergeant Natalie Charlesworth, Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation Team said: “The aim of this operation is to work with businesses within our communities to raise awareness of what child exploitation is and offer guidance on how to spot the signs and make a report. 

“We work closely with partners, including Liverpool City Council and Complex Safeguarding Teams from each of the local authority areas across Merseyside to safeguard young people and pursue criminals responsible for exploitation. I would like to encourage anyone who notices something that doesn’t quite look right, to report it to the police. Your information can be vital; it may help us to protect a vulnerable child from further harm. Together, we can make communities across Merseyside safer for young people, while making it a hostile place for people looking to exploit them.” 

Signs that a child may be a victim of exploitation are: 

A young person carrying lots of cash 
A young person with more than one phone 
A young person travelling alone during school hours 
A young person hanging out with people that look older than them 
A young person with new things they couldn’t normally afford 
A young person who is frequently away from school or home 
A young person who is accompanied by someone or a group who look older than them, and possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
A young person looking lost or in unfamiliar surroundings 
A young person travelling alone, particularly in school hours, late at night, or frequently 
 

If you suspect someone is in immediate danger call 999.  

Any non-urgent matter can be reported to 101 or online via our website www.merseyside.police.uk