INVESTIGATORS tasked with eradicating child exploitation cases in Barnsley have ‘bolstered’ their work in the town to protect its most vulnerable youngsters - after police confirmed two-thirds of cases involve teenage girls.
Hailed as a ‘top priority’ for police and council bosses involved in the recently-launched ‘Be Safe’ scheme, the Chronicle can reveal dedicated operations have disrupted related activity throughout 2024.
Child exploitation - a term when a child or young person is groomed by criminals - often sees them being given things like money, presents, drugs, alcohol, affection or perceived status to coerce them into criminality.
South Yorkshire Police said that two-thirds of cases involve girls - although 73 per cent of identified suspects were male - while the average victims being just 13 years of age.
A total of 60 per cent of recent years’ offences had an online element, with 67 per cent involving females with an average age of 13.
A police report said: “In Barnsley the recently-launched, multi-agency Be Safe child exploitation team has bolstered its work in the town delivering a number of dedicated policing operations this year disrupting county lines and child exploitation criminal activity.
“These focused operations see multiple potential victims safeguarded, stop and searches, arrests for exploitation offences and vital opportunities for intelligence gathering.
“It is a form of child abuse and the consequences can be catastrophically life-changing for victims and their families.
“Tackling it remains a top priority and this drive has seen significant changes take place in the region and targeted work to improve two-way engagement with the public to help spot the signs that a child could be being exploited.
“Bolstered partnership work with Barnsley Council, social care, charities and schools means we now have dedicated teams established.”
Teams have also delivered exploitation training and awareness raising to multi-agency professionals, as well as local staff at care homes, taxi licensing firms and hotels.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Harrison added: “These crimes are not and will not be tolerated, whether they take place in person or online.
“Every child deserves to live a safe and happy childhood free from abuse.
“This early invention partnership approach is a key part of policing.
“Behind-the-scenes preventative work is a crucial part of policing child exploitation.
“It can so often go unnoticed by the general public but our officers are monitoring intelligence every day and utilising this to deliver targeted educational and engagement work with young people in school and youth settings.
“If we can prevent abuse from occurring in the first place, we can help protect children from a life of harm.
“We are absolutely committed to making our region a hostile place for those who seek to ruin the lives of children through sexual abuse and exploitation.
“We continue to actively pursue and root out offenders and we will bring them before the courts to bring justice for victims.
“Tackling these abhorrent crimes can only be done with the support of our communities - I’d like to encourage anyone with information to contact us.
“You are our eyes and ears so help us protect children from abuse and exploitation.”
