Video: Cllr David Mellen on efforts to tackle abuse
Children in Nottinghamshire are being groomed online, given gifts and money and then sexually exploited by organised abusers.
This is the stark warning from police and council specialists who met to try to uncover the tactics used by paedophiles and work out how to tackle the problem.
Cases such as the Rotheram abuse trials have exposed how organised groups have targeted children, particularly who are in the UK care system or have turbulent relationships with their families.
Officials who met at a Holme Pierrepont conference on Friday say they know of cases of organised abuse locally – but the crimes are hard to track and more needs to be done to understand the scale of the problem.
A new campaign running throughout the week aims to help people spot the signs a child could be being targeted.
Councillor David Mellen, Portfolio Holder for Early Intervention and Early Years at Nottingham City Council said: “Clearly the internet is an area where parents don’t know what their children are doing on the tablets and computers – it could be completely innocent, but being informed is very important.”
Police and councillors said that parents should look out for warning signs that a child is being groomed, which could include children having an unexplained amount of money or a new mobile phone.
Picture: Cllr David Mellen addressed councillors and support workers at the conference
Detective Inspector Pete Quinn of Notts Police said: “We have already noted a significant increase in the number of reports of child sexual exploitation in Nottinghamshire.
“This indicates not just a growing confidence among victims to come forward, but also a heightened awareness of the signs and circumstances which indicate that a young person is being exploited.”
Child sexual exploitation: What are the warning signs?
- Does the child have unexplained money or gifts?
- Do they regularly miss school or go missing from home?
- Do they use their mobile secretively?
- Do they have significantly older friends?
- Has their behaviour changed?
- Have they suffered from repeated STI’s?
- Are they self-harming?
For more information you can visit the Stop CSE website, or to report a suspected case you call police on 101, or contact Nottingham City Council’s children and families helpline on 0115 876 4800.
