Child Exploitation Awareness day of action

Wednesday, 22 March 2023 00:00

Say Something If You See Something is the strapline for this year’s National Child Exploitation Awareness Day which was marked on Saturday 18 March.

Child exploitation, which is still ever present in our 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.

As a follow-up to the day itself, on Monday (20th March), officers and staff from Wiltshire Police's dedicated Exploitation and Missing Team along with our partners including Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council and British Transport Police (BTP) visited several hotels, taxi ranks and railway stations.

These are often areas where child exploitation is most obvious and prevalent: a withdrawn lone child at a railway station, bus stop, or fast-food outlet.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; or any public place where a young person on their own would appear out of place.

In Salisbury the team visited:

Railway - Salisbury station was visited by our officers along with BTP officers. Numerous posters left. Taxi Ranks - We spoke to up to 20 taxi drivers plus the All The Sevens Taxis main office. Posters left. In addition, we visited Salisbury Reds bus company and spoke to several staff. Hotels - 15 were visited and signed up to Hotel Watch.

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 the multi-agency partners we regularly work with and us, 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.”

You can also report via the Wiltshire Police website or 101; if a crime is taking place at the time call 999.

You can also report anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

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