Police and charity launch child protection project

A programme to protect young people against child sexual exploitation (CSE) has been launched by police and a charity.

Police Scotland and Barnardo’s in Aberdeen and Dundee have developed a pilot project which will run in both cities for two years. It hopes to reach, protect and support children and young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation in the local areas.

Advisers from the charity’s Reducing the Impact of Sexual Exploitation service will support police officers by improving support to children under the age of 18.

They will also assist in identifying and disrupting perpetrators and exploitation networks, and protecting current and potential victims by bringing together intelligence.

The new services and programme are funded by Barnardo’s Scotland, Police Scotland and Comic Relief.

Peter Nield, assistant director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said sharing skills, knowledge and intelligence would provide a co-ordinated response to CSE across Aberdeen and Dundee.

He said: “CSE advisers are located in Police Scotland headquarters in Aberdeen and Dundee, supporting frontline officers and other key agencies providing a co-ordinated response to child sexual exploitation.”