Everyone has a role to play in protecting children from exploitation.
Plymouth City Council is supporting the Look Closer campaign, run by The Children’s Society, British Transport Police and National Police Chiefs’ Council, which raises awareness of the signs of child exploitation and how to report concerns.
Exploitation can include children being sexually abused, made to launder criminal money or coerced into transporting drugs or stealing from shops.
Some key signs of child exploitation could include a young person:
• travelling alone, particularly in school hours, late at night or frequently
• looking lost or in unfamiliar surroundings
• anxious, frightened, angry or displaying other behaviours that make you worried about them
• in possession of more than one phone
• carrying lots of cash
• potentially under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• being instructed or controlled by another individual
• being accompanied by individuals who are older than them
• begging in a public space.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “This is a hugely important issue. Any child can be at risk of exploitation, and we all have a role to play to prevent this – if you see something you think is suspicious, please report it. Even if there is no issue, we would all much rather be safe than sorry.
“Making Plymouth a great place to grow up and keeping children and communities safe are two of our key priorities. We can only do that with the help of our residents so please remember to look closer and be aware of the signs of child exploitation. Together we can protect children from abuse.”
If you see or suspect a young person is being exploited, please call the police on 101 or 999 if there is an immediate risk. If you’re on a train, you can text the British Transport Police on 61016.
You can also raise a safeguarding concern with Plymouth City Council.
Find out more about child exploitation and how to prevent it from The Children's Society.