Spot the signs to beat child sexual exploitation

PEOPLE are being asked the spot the signs to mark Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day this weekend.
One of the pink signs to highlight CSE.One of the pink signs to highlight CSE.
One of the pink signs to highlight CSE.

South Yorkshire Police and partner agencies want the public to know the signs of exploitation and hope the initiative will help.

There have been a range of activities across the district ahead of CSE Awareness Day on Saturday.

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On Monday, a series of pink spots were installed across the region’s town and city centres and people are being urged to spot them.

People are being invited to take photographs and put them on social media using the hashtag #SpotTheSigns to highlight the activity.

Det Ch Insp Melanie Palin said: “We really want to impress upon the public the warning signs of child sexual exploitation and we’re encouraging everyone to look out for the bright pink spots, which will each have one of the identified warning signs posted on them, across their town or city.

“We hope this very visual display of the warning signs will increase awareness across all of our communities and hopefully lead to increased referrals and reports of concerns about children who may be at risk of sexual exploitation.

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“Each district will have 14 bright pink signs and everyone will be encouraged to get out into their town and city centres to look for the signs — see if you can spot them all.

“We have a range of different activities planned across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield — details of which we’ll share on our social media channels so you don’t miss a chance to speak to your local officers and ask any questions you may have.

“Child sexual exploitation remains a priority for forces across the country and we are committed to ensuring that we safeguard and protect children from these crimes, supported by excellent partners in local authorities, health, social care and specialist support agencies.

“Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility and we hope that you will take some useful information away from the activity we have planned this week.”

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If anyone wishes to report child sexual exploitation, they should call or text the national helpline Say Something on 116000 for help and advice. People can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the police on 101.