By Three local men arrested on suspicion of sexually exploiting children
Three men have been arrested this morning as part of an ongoing investigation into the sexual exploitation of children in Scunthorpe.
Today’s arrests are the latest phase of a joint operation between Humberside Police and North Lincolnshire Council to target those believed to be exploiting vulnerable young people in our community.
A 31-year-old Scunthorpe man, 38-year-old Wrawby man and 49-year-old Hull man remain in custody.
Detective Sergeant, John Shepherd, said:
“Our biggest priority is protecting young people and by working with our partners in this way, we can ensure they are given the care, support and guidance they need and that they are removed from dangerous situations”.
“Once we are sure they are safe and that they and any other potential victims are protected from further harm, we can concentrate on dealing with those responsible for exploiting them and investigating any links to organised crime”.
“I make no apologies for the fact that we are relentless in targeting those we suspect of using children in this way”.
“Children have a right to their childhood”.
“This isn’t something that’s unique to this area”.
“Sadly, children and young people are being exploited in this way in towns and cities across the UK”.
If you notice any of the following signs, please contact Humberside Police:
- Young people visiting an address where you wouldn’t normally expect to see them.
- Vehicles dropping off young people at an address or vehicles that regularly visit and then leave.
- Adults buying alcohol or drugs and using that to draw young people to an address
- Adults regularly meeting young people in public places, such as parks.
- Young people regularly leaving an address who appear to be under the influence of drink or drugs.
DS Shepherd said:
“Any of these could be a sign that children may be being exploited in some way and by letting us know what you’re seeing, you could change a child’s life”.
“So if there are cars regularly coming and going, jot down their registration numbers and any patterns in when they come and go”.
“If you see groups of young people meeting adults at your local park, tell us what you can about what’s happening and, if they’re buying them alcohol, where are they getting it from?”
“Your information may be the piece of the jigsaw we have been looking for, so please don’t write your concerns off”.
“If it turns out to be nothing then that’s great, I would rather get 100 reports like this than not be told something which could help us save a child from exploitation”.
