It's time to #LookCloser
PCC David Sidwick is supporting the #LookCloser Campaign.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset David Sidwick is supporting the #LookCloser campaign, urging members of the public to look out for signs and report child exploitation.
The campaign is designed to raise awareness and public knowledge of child exploitation and encourage reporting of the issue.
David Sidwick said: “There is a specific priority in my Police and Crime Plan to tackle ‘violent crime and high harm’ and this includes keeping children and young people safe.”
Sometimes, it is the youngest in our society, that need the most help as they are often most at risk of exploitation, coercion and victimisation - especially when it comes to county lines drug activity.”
“Raising awareness of the signs of child exploitation is vitally important and that’s why I am urging everyone to #LookCloser.
Signs of child exploitation
The signs of child exploitation are:
- A young person travelling alone, particularly in school hours, late at night or frequently
- A young person looking lost, or they are in unfamiliar surroundings
- A young person displaying behaviours that make you worry about them, for example anxiety, anger or being frightened
- A young person being in possession of more than one mobile phone
- A young person carrying lots of cash, or appearing to live above their means and have the latest gadget or clothes
- A young person who is potentially under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- A young person being instructed or controlled by another individual
- A young person who is accompanied by individual(s) who are older than them
- A young person seen begging in a public space.
If you have any concerns, you can call the police on 101 or in an emergency dial 999.
Alternatively, you can contact the British Transport Police on 61016 or report concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
More information about the #LookCloser campaign can be found on the Children’s Society website.