The gifts, the hidden phone and the headteacher

We were contacted by a concerned mum recently who was worried her daughter was being groomed or exploited.

The woman from Huntingdonshire said she had seen an increase in her daughter’s phone use and she had received mysterious gifts – including phones and designer goods. The teenager’s change in behaviour had become more intense and she was being hostile when challenged.

Other calls include one from a worried dad in South Cambs, who discovered his 12-year-old daughter had been speaking to people online using a hidden phone, and a headteacher in Fenland who said a boy had confided in him that he was being exploited to sell drugs by his friend.

Cases like these are flagged up to our dedicated Child Exploitation Hub every single week and our officers work hard to safeguard children, but we can’t do it alone. You may think children aren’t exploited where you live or it won’t happen to those you know – but these cases prove differently.

Do you know the signs to spot this Child Exploitation Awareness Day?

Please take the time to speak to your children, those you care for, or family and friends, about any concerns you have. One conversation could be a start towards making a real difference.

Concerns can also be reported to us, like the parents and headteacher did here. Find out more information about child exploitation on our dedicated web pages.