To mark National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day on Saturday 18 March, Hillingdon Council is encouraging residents to learn how to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and how to report it.

Hillingdon Council works closely with its partners and the Metropolitan Police to protect children and young people from sexual abuse in Hillingdon.

Since 2014, the council has delivered training on prevention, protection and prosecution of CSE to over 1200 professionals in health, education and police services.

Cllr David Simmonds, Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services said: “We work together with our partners to prevent child sexual exploitation in Hillingdon and although reports of CSE are not common in the borough, National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day is a good opportunity to raise awareness to help prevent this horrendous crime in our community.

“We are encouraging parents, professionals and young people to learn how to spot the signs of CSE, and with the rise of online grooming on a national level, we would also encourage parents and carers to monitor website use.

“We have a zero tolerance approach to child abuse in Hillingdon, so if you suspect that a child or young person is being exploited, please contact the police, Crimestoppers or the local safeguarding board.“

Stephen O'Connor, Detective Inspector for the Metropolitan Police in Hillingdon said: "During National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Week, Hillingdon Borough Police will be undertaking a week of activities aimed at raising awareness and protecting vulnerable children from child sexual exploitation.

“We will work with schools, partner agencies and a national charity to ensure that children are made fully aware of the dangers of CSE, including the increasing risk of online predators. 

“Throughout the year, our police officers keep young people safe in the borough by proactively targeting individuals suspected to be involved in the grooming of children and the possession and supply of indecent images.“

Child sexual exploitation information including a resource pack for young people and parents and carers is available online.

For more information, please visit: http://hillingdonlscb.org.uk/

To report child abuse, please contact the police on 101 or 999 for an emergency, or you can contact the council’s multi-agency safeguarding hub on 01895 556633.Concerned residents or victims can also called the Missing National Helpline 116 000, or report a crime anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.