ESSEX Police Neighbourhood Policing Teams work to raise awareness of how children and young people are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

And this can be facilitated through transport hubs. Offenders may use rail and bus networks, and even taxis, to traffic children and young people for sexual and criminal purposes.

While young people themselves will use rail and bus stations for shelter or to get easy access to food and drink, if they are running away from someone or something.

This week, neighbourhood policing officers are working with Essex Safeguarding Children Board, partner agencies and charities across the county, visiting rail and bus stations to talk with staff about the signs to watch out for and how to report any suspicions they may have.

Stuart Smith is the force’s Public Protection Investigations manager. He says: “We have specialist teams to investigate and all our front-line officers have received specific child exploitation training.

“We take all reports of suspected child exploitation seriously and it is these reports which are key to identifying victims.

“So it’s vitally important to raise public awareness of this terrible criminal activity, which is where the work of our neighbourhood policing teams comes in.

“Children and young people often travel on trains, buses and taxis on their own, which can leave them vulnerable to abusers who want to exploit them sexually or for criminal purposes.

“But if passengers and transport staff know the signs to look out for and how to report their suspicions, they will play a key part in helping us to protect children and young people at risk and to catch offenders.

“Of course, everyone has a role to play in preventing exploitation. So, if you see something which is suspicious, or you have identified a child or young person you believe to be is at risk, please report the information to us so we and our partners can take safeguarding action and investigate as necessary.”

This week, Essex Police neighbourhood policing officers and staff from partner agencies and charities across the county have been talking to members of the public as well as staff working within and around bus and train stations, from ticket collectors and engineers to coffee shop workers, cleaners and taxi drivers, who all play an important role in safeguarding vulnerable young people.

They also highlighted the awareness training available for these staff under the banner of Operation Henderson.

ESCB, Southend and Thurrock safeguarding children partnerships run this joint initiative with us, together with British Transport Police, Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit, Greater Anglia, c2c, Transport for London, local bus operators, Social Care, local councils and The Children’s Society and The Railway Children charities.

Spot the signs

Essex Police works with partners to put an end to child exploitation in all its forms. But they can’t do it without your help.

You can find out more about child criminal and sexual exploitation and the signs to watch out for by visiting the Child Abuse pages on our website.

LINK: https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse

The Essex Safeguarding Children Board’s website at www.escb.co.uk lists a number of safeguarding topics, including Exploitation (risk in the community), which

LINK: https://www.escb.co.uk/safeguarding-topics/exploitation-risk-in-the-community/criminal-exploitation

The Look Closer Campaign is a joint initiative with The Children’s Society and British Transport Police and the National County Lines Coordination Centre.

It encourages members of the public to learn the signs of child exploitation and understand how to report it if you are concerned.

The national campaign focuses on public spaces like bus and train stations, fast food outlets, roadside services, and hotels – places where young victims of exploitation could be visible.

LINK: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/looking-closer-public-spaces-spot-child-exploitation