CSE events to be held in Rotherham

They will be part of a range of activities across the region by South Yorkshire Police and its partners to mark Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day 2016.

A stand at Rotherham Interchange will be open from 3pm onwards and officers will be part of Barnardo’s and Rotherham Borough Council’s Reach Out event in Effingham Street from 2pm.

The force will also be taking part in the national social media awareness raising campaign, using the hashtag #CSEDay16.

Det Ch Insp Melanie Palin, from South Yorkshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said: “We work continuously to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation and to encourage people to seek support whether through us or one of the other support agencies. National Awareness day is an ideal opportunity to seek even wider recognition of this type of abuse.

“Child sexual exploitation is child abuse and is occurring in all of our communities. We can only stop it if people who are aware of it tell us about it.

“We hope that people will take this opportunity to come and talk to us, to ask questions and seek advice. If they don’t feel able to do this they can visit our website which gives information about not only contacting us but also other groups who can provide support.”

For more information visit www.southyorks.police.uk/spotthesigns.

Anyone with concerns about child sexual exploitation should contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or the national helpline Say Something on 116 000. Always call 999 in an emergency.