Detective Inspector Paul Cook Bedfordshire Police Public Protection Unit
Child sexual exploitation is illegal activity by people who have power over young people and use it to sexually abuse them. This can involve a broad range of exploitative activity, from seemingly ‘consensual’ relationships and informal exchanges of sex for attention, accommodation, gifts or cigarettes, through to very serious organised crime. It can also happen through grooming using technology - for example, young people being persuaded to post sexual images on the internet or mobile phones.
MPs are to investigate the sexual exploitation of children, after an expert warned abuse was taking place "all over the country". West Mercia – Op Chalice Derbyshire – Operation Retriever Greater Manchester – Rochdale Victims are often but not exclusively female & from difficult home circumstances Link between CSE and children going missing is very strong
Disproportionate number of sexually exploited YP were looked after by L.A CEOP thematic assessment – 896 children in dataset (311 were already in care and 43 moved into care following intervention) CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Team
Operation Nighthawk – Disclosure to GUM Clinic by 16 yr old – sex with Asian males Children and Young People being sexually exploited in Luton Intelligence suggests that sexual exploitation of children is taking place across Bedfordshire Children being trafficked throughout the county Previously ‘hidden’ phenomenon Requires multi-agency approach
Building relationships with agencies (Intelligence) Working with Sexually Active YP Protocol Information Sharing (Intelligence) ...(Strategy meetings / MAPPA / SARAC) Identifying local issues and working in partnership – problem solving approach (Intelligence) Communication is the key! (Intelligence)
Using intelligence to pro-actively target those individuals or organised crime groups who pose a significant risk to children and young people within our community. Information sharing – Luton perspective & developing a structure to share meaningful intelligence (actionable information) Early intervention = reduction in risk and harm
Sex Offender Registration – New Legislative Requirements for RSOs Increased / More effective use of Sexual Offences Prevention Orders / Risk of Sexual Harm Orders (Internet monitoring Securus / Fieldsearch) Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme Behaviours/Signs Disruption of CSE locally by assessing threat through national strategic threat assessments (CEOP, National Crime Agency) LSCB – Local Picture
Herts Constabulary – Polygraph Pilot - MoJ Beds Police invited 4 internet offenders – I.I.O.C – Low numbers of Images – Admissions on arrest / interview Intention to Conditionally Caution. Fast-track offender through process to concentrate on ‘higher’ risk offenders Only 1 out of 4 ‘passed’ the polygraph test Absorbed into current funding pot
Male A – Intelligence from CEOP had accessed a site called buildarecipe.co.uk Site had been compromised and images uploaded Warrant executed at Male A’s home address Admissions made by Male A to accessing adult pornography sites This developed into accessing I.I.O.C Male A suggested he did not know why he had done it – No sexual interest in children
Polygraph Test in June 2012 ‘Failed’ polygraph when asked about contact offences with children Disclosed historic contact offences with 12 and 8 year old females Also disclosed touching his grandaughter Further investigation by Online Investigation Team Provides greater opportunity to assess and MANAGE risk – harm reduction
Detective Inspector 1330 Paul Cook Tel: