Child sex exploitation in Telford 'always investigated'

West Mercia Police, Telford & Wrekin Council, and the borough's safeguarding children board have written an open letter to residents to reassure them about the work being done to tackle the problem.

The letter was published after Shropshire-based MEP Jill Seymour claimed police were doing little to stop children being targeted and abused.

The letter, signed by Superintendent Tom Harding, council leader Councillor Shaun Davies, Clive Jones, director of children's and adult services at Telford & Wrekin Council, and Andrew Mason, chair of Telford & Wrekin safeguarding children board, says officers are doing their utmost to deal with concerns.

The letter states: "You may have seen media coverage in recent days about child sex offences in Telford.

"Some of this has been critical of the way reports of such offences are being recorded and responded to.

"We would like to take this opportunity to address these reports and reassure you of the importance we place on tackling child sex offences in Telford. Firstly, we would like to be clear that we are under no illusion that like other areas of the country there are significant concerns around the sexual exploitation of children in Telford.

"It has happened in the past and it is happening today. These are some of the most abhorrent offences against some of the most vulnerable members of our society and as such we are keen to emphasise our commitment to investigating these crimes and protecting children from harm.

"We are all part of the Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board and our role is to ensure that all local agencies are fulfilling their responsibilities to protect children."

It added: "One of the issues that has been raised in recent media coverage is around how police record and respond to reports of sexual offences against children.

"We would like to assure people that every single report is appropriately recorded and thoroughly investigated.

"Another concern raised is the way reports from street pastors about suspected incidents in Telford are acted upon.

"The street pastors play a vital role in helping us to keep the streets of Telford safe for everyone. They work on a voluntary basis and we thank them for their continued hard work and commitment.

"The pastors have a direct line to the police control room should they wish to report a suspected criminal offence or suspicious activity and we do respond accordingly.

"They also provide a more general report of their activity. This information is reviewed and where necessary acted upon.

"Where it is established that a criminal offence has been committed it is thoroughly investigated as a crime, as our community would expect.

"Where the information provided is generic in nature or about suspicious activity, this is fed into our intelligence system and the local policing team can target problem areas and individuals."

The letter states successes have already been in tackling child sexual abuse in Telford, with the area becoming one of first in the country to secure a large-scale child sexual offence conviction.

Seven men from the town were sentenced to a total of 49 years in prison as part of Operation Chalice.

The letter adds: "Police currently have several ongoing operations aimed at targeting identified individuals and making it harder for people intent on committing these crimes from doing so in Telford.

"By their nature, investigations into child sex abuse are complex and this is why Telford has a dedicated child sexual exploitation policing team whose sole focus is on protecting children from harm and bringing offenders to justice.

"Like any town or city in the country, there are still children being sexually abused in Telford and we will not rest while this continues to be the case.

"We still face huge challenges; many victims may not realise they are a victim and it is important that we educate these children so they know that what is being done to them is wrong.

"Others may not be ready to report their ordeal and for these children it is important that they have the confidence that the police will investigate thoroughly, they will be supported and when they are ready to talk there are people who will listen."

A commitment to tackling child sexual abuse is also highlighted in the letter along with the important role everyone has a role to play.

"If you suspect a child is a victim of sexual offences or someone is sexually abusing children then please report it.," the letter states.

"Even if it is just a suspicion, we will act on every single report."

Sam Cook, West Mercia Police spokesman, said the public was asked to recognise the signs of child sexual exploitation, which involved the manipulation and/or coercion of young people under the age of 18 into sexual activity.

She said: "Young people may be expected to engage in sexual activity in exchange for things such as money, gifts, accommodation, affection, status, food, drugs or alcohol. If something's not right, please report it to police. The law is clear. No child under the age of 18 can ever consent to being abused or exploited."