Officers from Warrington’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit have delivered training to local hotel staff to help spot the signs of child exploitation.
On Monday 7 September, representatives from hotels across Warrington joined officers from the Local Neighbourhood Team and the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit for a morning of training and discussion regarding keeping children and young people safe from exploitation.
Ten hotels from across Warrington were invited to meet with officers following a test purchase operation conducted across the local area.
The hotel representatives will in turn be delivering this training to their staff to help them spot the signs of exploitation and, where necessary, swiftly alert police to intervene prior to any young person being at risk of abuse.
The partnership forms part of Operation Makesafe – a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of child exploitation, including criminal and sexual, in the business community.
Inspector Matt Lagar, who delivered the session, said: “Sadly, the exploitation of children can happen anywhere but particularly in hotels where perpetrators can hide behind a do not disturb sign – which is why it’s vital we take action to protect the vulnerable from harm by speaking with those who work in hotels and the leisure industry.
“You may now see one of the Op Makesafe posters in the hotel foyers of a hotel you visit, meaning the staff are alert and fully aware of what they need to do to keep our children safe.
“We want to make it difficult for these criminals to carry out their exploitation, whether they are grooming children to carry out crimes on their behalf, such as selling drugs, or to sexually exploit them.
“I would like to thank the representatives from the hotels who attended for giving us their time and being so open and engaging with the training that was delivered.
“This was not about blame, nor was it about criticism. This training was a direct response to a wider test purchase operation that was conducted to recognise any vulnerabilities and to enable staff to feel more empowered to respond appropriately to any potential incidents in the future.”
You can find out more by going to Operation Makesafe | Cheshire Constabulary
