PEOPLE in Worcestershire are being urged to be on the look-out for signs that children or young people are being exploited by criminals.
Victims often display risky or suspicious behaviour such as going missing from home or school or going to areas where exploitation, drugs use and criminal activity are common.
n They may have unexplained sums of cash, multiple mobile phones or change their phone numbers.
n If the child has entered a relationship with a controlling or significantly older adult it could lead to them being isolated from friends and being at risk.
n Displaying risky or suspicious behaviour such as going missing from home or school or regularly going to areas where exploitation, substance use or criminality are common. This also includes having unexplained sums of money or multiple phones or changing numbers.
n The child has entered a relationship with a controlling or significantly older adult. This could lead to them being isolated from their friends and engage in new and harmful behaviours.
n A change in their physical or mental health such as evidence of physical or sexual assault, drastic weight loss, changes to personal hygiene or self-harm are other indicators.
n And some can suffer a significant decline in school performance or an increase in violent behaviour.
The plea comes as Worcestershire County Council has vowed to do more to safeguard young people against criminal exploitation by championing a ‘Get Safe’ scheme and raising awareness of the issue.
The authority passed a motion at Thursday’s meeting which will see councillors highlight the project in their individual divisions.
Get Safe is supported by a number of organisations as well as the county council, including Worcestershire Children First, West Mercia Police, Public Health and Worcestershire NHS Health and Care Trust.
Catherine Driscoll, the chief executive of Worcestershire Children First, welcomed the council’s backing and said: “The team has been doing wonderful work already in raising awareness of criminal exploitation and helping to keep children safe by promoting the signs and indicators adults need to look out for in the children in their care.”
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/GetSafe for more on the scheme.
