Redbridge police cadets to pose as at-risk children to raise awareness

Last year, cadets working with Operation Makesafe visited three hotels in the borough to see if they would raise concerns about an unrelated child and adult trying to book a room.

According to a report from the Local Child Safeguarding Board only one hotel responded appropriately.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Hotels are visited by cadets to understand the response hotel staff give to indicators of child sexual exploitation (CSE).

Read more: Expert urges 'proportionate approach' to child-on-child sex abuse

“This is primarily an education process, not a test, and all hotels visited will have had specific Makesafe training delivered by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service.

“Police will work with partners and professionals in highlighting the vulnerabilities of exploited children.”

A similar operation will take place next month to coincide with national Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness day on March 18.

In 2018 police targeted child groomers near Ilford Station (credit: Google Streetview)

Police have been cracking down on sexual exploitation elsewhere in the borough, particularly around Ilford Station.

In 2018/2019, they issued 25 child abduction warning notices, which inform suspected child groomers they will be arrested if they continue to associate with a specific child.

Two suspected child groomers who ignored these notices were later successfully prosecuted.

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