SCHOOLS, care homes and supported accommodation were among the settings involved in a three-day Cheshire Police operation aimed at protecting children and vulnerable people, including in Warrington.
Cheshire Constabulary carried out Operation Guardians from Monday, October 19, to Wednesday, October 21, involving hundreds of officers and staff from teams specialising in local policing, child protection and sex offender management.
The force-wide operation focused on safeguarding children who go missing and may be at risk of exploitation, raising awareness among schoolchildren and ensuring offenders complied with bail conditions and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.
Police carried out high-visibility patrols outside schools, alongside plain-clothes patrols in town centres to tackle anti-social behaviour and provide a reassuring presence.
Schools and partner organisations were also engaged to encourage people to report potential offences and safeguarding concerns.
As part of the operation, officers executed warrants and visited addresses alongside the Probation Service to check that individuals were complying with the conditions imposed on them.
Cheshire Police reported the following results from Operation Guardians across the county:
– Eight arrests for offences including drug supply, breaches of safeguarding orders and indecent image offences.
– 24 visits to care homes and supported accommodation, strengthening safeguarding arrangements and engaging with vulnerable children and young people. Several children were immediately safeguarded and protected from harm.
– 83 offender management visits**, including visits to registered sex offenders and high-risk offenders.
– 14 secondary schools and educational settings visited**, where children received advice on online safety, exploitation and staying safe in the community.
The operation also included work under Operation MakeSafe, focusing on the prevention of child exploitation across hotels, retailers, care homes and supported accommodation providers.
This followed several proactive operations at hotels during September and October.
Officers also engaged with retailers about the sale of vapes and cigarettes to children.
Detective Superintendent Chris Williams, who co-ordinated the operation, said: “Operation Guardians gives us the opportunity to throw the spotlight on the incredible work going on to protect the young and vulnerable across the county by multiple departments every single day – the whole year round.
“This week, our activities resulted in multiple arrests and a plethora of engagement activities across the county.
“As well as reassuring the public I think Operation Guardians sends a message to those who would harm children in Cheshire that we will utilise all the tools at our disposal to safeguard young and vulnerable people and anyone who is found to have committed any offences will be caught and held accountable.”
Anyone with information relating to child abuse or exploitation, or concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable person, can contact Cheshire Police on 101 or report information through the force’s website.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
