Young people who have run away from home are often at high risk of exploitation: Looking out for the following signs can help a young person at a crucial time:
·       too young to be travelling alone?
·       or travelling with someone who doesn’t appear to be a friend or family member
·       trying to catch a lift into the town from a rural area?
·       in a uniform but out and about during school hours?
·       wearing clothes that are inappropriate for the weather?
·       looking lost?
·       short of money?
·       asking for directions?
·       carrying a significant number of belongings with them?
·       giving a story that seems implausible and involves needing to get to a place some distance away?
·       clearly frightened and anxious?

If you spot a young person who you are concerned has run away:

≥ don’t attempt to rescue them or restrain them
≥ be sympathetic and ask them if they’re ok
≥ report it using the NYSCP link.
≥ contact the Police on 101 to report any concerns, even if the child says they’re fine
≥ ring 999 if you believe the child is in immediate danger

Possible signs of exploitation to look out for:

A lot of visitors to and from one room, including adults or young people
– Last minute, or walk-in bookings, particularly late at night.
– A frequent guest at a hotel room seen with a range of different young people.
– Young people with adults where there is no obvious appropriate relationship, something doesn’t feel right or other signs are present
– Parties in rooms
– Evidence of drugs, alcohol, sexual activity such as condom wrappers and lubricants
– Guests insisting on paying cash
– Young people loitering in the lobby area or hallways
– Guests refusing to provide ID 
– Young boys and girls looking scared, withdrawn, being spoken to in an inappropriately sexual or aggressive manner
– Guests who appear to be secretive about their stay or who try to conceal their activities in their room
– Young boys and girls in possession of or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
– Guests who request to be close to fire exits or take a particular interest in the location of their room

If you see something that’s not right, report it. Your information could be the vital piece that can protect a child or young person from exploitation. Information can be shared about a crime (however small or insignificant you think it may be) to North Yorkshire police by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or online by clicking here. Anonymous information can be shared via Crimestoppers – 0800555111. If you have concerns about the welfare of a child click here for more information.

Licensed Premises can be used as locations to exploit and abuse vulnerable children. A premise is particularly vulnerable if it is a location where children congregate, or where children can be easily accessed by offenders. Locations of concern include takeaways and food outlets, alcohol outlets, shopping centres, parks and areas with no parental supervision.

Signs to look out for:

• Adults befriending young people and buying them food, drinks and cigarettes
• Young people under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Girls or boys with older people who they are behaving in an intimate way with
• Child being taken to areas of licensed premises that are not supervised or security checked
• A customer of the premises seen with different young people
• Same child/children being seen at the premises with different adults
• Young person who appears under the control or instruction of others (adults or peers)
• Young person shoplifting, potentially for exploiters
• Young people that look distressed, intimidated, frightened, dishevelled or disorientated
• Young people in the premise at unsocial hours
• You may overhear conversations or witness concerning activity within the premises

If you see something that’s not right, report it. Your information could be the vital piece that can protect a child or young person from exploitation. Information can be shared about a crime (however small or insignificant you think it may be) to North Yorkshire police by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or online by clicking here. Anonymous information can be shared via Crimestoppers – 0800555111. If you have concerns about the welfare of a child click here for more information.

Taxis are often used by perpetrators to transport children (both girls and boys) between hotels, pubs and other places where they are exploited. So it’s not just a good idea for taxi drivers to be able to spot the signs of exploitation, it’s their responsibility.
Exploited children may be too scared or ashamed to ask for help themselves, or they may not recognise that they are being exploited. Taxi drivers are in a unique position to notice when all may not be right with passengers in their vehicle, pass their concerns on to the police – and potentially save a child from exploitation

– Young people (both girls and boys) being collected and taken to hotels/b&bs/parties at odd times
– Young people being picked up from other cars
– Young people who look worried, frightened or distressed in the company of adults
– Young passengers who are in a vulnerable state due to excessive drink or drugs, and who don’t know where they are going, accompanied by adults
– Young passengers being dropped off at any location that causes you concern.
– Frequent suspicious activity in the same place
– Men who regularly request taxi rides to and from location – taking young people with them.
– Young passengers going to A&E or clinics accompanied by someone who is not a parent

If you see something that’s not right, report it. Your information could be the vital piece that can protect a child or young person from exploitation. Information can be shared about a crime (however small or insignificant you think it may be) to North Yorkshire police by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or online by clicking here. Anonymous information can be shared via Crimestoppers – 0800555111. If you have concerns about the welfare of a child click here for more information.

Children who are exploited often carry cash obtained from their exploitation and will visit bank branches to pay it into their abuser’s account. They may also be made to launder money or transfer criminal proceeds through their own bank account. In some circumstances young people sell their whole account for a small fee to perpetrators.

Is a child or young person visiting your branch:

– Anxious, frightened, angry, showing signs of neglect or displaying other behaviours that make you worried about them?
– Behaving aggressively with you or other bank staff?
– Visiting a branch far from the account holder’s address?
– Paying in a large quantity of cash?
– Being instructed or controlled by another individual? Or is someone keeping an eye on them from a distance?
– Receiving frequent messages and calls? Do they appear anxious when answering?

– Is there concerning activity related to a child or young person’s account?
– Are they paying in small amounts frequently?
– Is there more activity than you would expect to see on a young person’s account?
– Are there cash deposits or transfers from unknown sources?
– Are there a lot of transport or accommodation transactions on the account?
-Do the details on the account match to the person you are expecting.

Young people are frequently approached at cash points or when leaving banks as these are clear indicators they have access to financial accounts.
·      Consider the security at these points your organisation has.
·      Is anyone looking suspicious or approaching people at cash points?
·      Is there information about how to access support at cash points?

If you see something that’s not right, report it. Your information could be the vital piece that can protect a child or young person from exploitation. Information can be shared about a crime (however small or insignificant you think it may be) to North Yorkshire police by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or online by clicking here. Anonymous information can be shared via Crimestoppers – 0800555111. If you have concerns about the welfare of a child click here for more information.

As a delivery drivers, postal workers, takeaway drivers; you are working within communities and neighbourhoods, travelling through multiple public spaces during shifts. Therefore there may be opportunities for you to identify young people being exploited or abused either within public spaces or within houses. 

– Whilst delivering in the community, look out for children or young people who are:
– Looking lost or in unfamiliar surroundings 
– Regularly in a public space during school hours or late at night
– On their own or meeting different adults who don’t appear to be parents
– Being instructed or controlled by another individual
– Accompanied by individuals who are older than them.

Exploitation and abuse can also be visible inside houses. The majority of sexual abuse happens inside the family home and vulnerable adults’ properties can be taken over by criminals and used as a base. If you are delivering parcels, takeaways or other items to a house, you may be one of the only professionals in a position to spot and report concerns. 

Things to look out for in houses:
– Unaccompanied children visiting a house where only adults live
– Young people who are anxious, frightened, angry, showing signs of neglect or displaying other behaviours that make you worried
– Children with bruises, burns, bite marks or fractures
– Appearing guarded around particular individuals
– Shouting or violence towards a young person
– Increased callers at a property
– Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of a time
– Increased antisocial behaviour at a property
– Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
– Unfamiliar vehicles at the property.

If you see something that’s not right, report it. Your information could be the vital piece that can protect a child or young person from exploitation. Information can be shared about a crime (however small or insignificant you think it may be) to North Yorkshire police by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or online by clicking here. Anonymous information can be shared via Crimestoppers – 0800555111. If you have concerns about the welfare of a child click here for more information.