VIDEO: Police week of action to target criminal exploitation

A WEEK of police action against the criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable people will kick off on Monday.

Operation Fortify will run until Monday, October 15.

Temporary Det Chief Insp Jon Cousins said that activity across South Yorkshire will target criminals and also highlight the issue to the public.

Mr Cousins said that exploitation includes activities such as forcing people to look after firearms, sexual exploitation, forced shoplifting and criminal activity, as well as forcing people to work in modern slavery and so-called county lines drug dealing where young people are used to distribute illegal substances.

“It will be a week of activity to raise awareness," he said.

“It’s raising awareness of signs for people to look out for involving those at risk.”

Public events will take place throughout the week with the support of Social Sevices departments and local authorities, as well as schools.

Mr Cousins said that there would also be activities to crack down on those exploiting people — and hoped that the public will be able to provide vital information when they believe exploitation is taking place.

He said that the week of action would be across the county and will not specifically target any areas.

Mr Cousins said that while exploitation victims may be made to commit crimes, they need to be treated with sympathy by the police.

He said: “What we need to do is have a better understanding of victims.”

Mr Cousins said that exploitation is not limited to any particular communities or area and "can happen anywhere".

He said that young males aged 15 to 16 were often targeted because criminals like to use so-called “clean shaved” youths who have no links to the police to help them carry out their activities.

“This is a very good opportunity to be looking at exploitation," Mr Cousins said.

“We think the week of action will raise awareness. It’s very important that the general public can help is identify this brand of criminality.”

Keep an eye on the Advertiser website to make sure you are aware of Operation Fortify events.