Police deliver training to bus companies to help spot signs of child exploitation

Cheshire Constabulary has delivered training to bus companies across the county to help drivers spot the signs of child exploitation on transport networks.

Officers delivered training to safeguarding leads from Warrington’s Own Buses and Stagecoach in Chester and Crewe to help protect vulnerable children who may be at risk.

The companies will in in turn be delivering this training to their drivers across the county to help them spot the signs of exploitation and, where necessary, swiftly alert police to intervene prior to any young person coming to harm.

The partnership is part of Operation Makesafe – a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of child exploitation, including criminal and sexual, in the business community.

Supt Chris Williams, from the Protecting Vulnerable People Team, said:

“Child exploitation is a crime with devastating and long lasting consequences for its victims and their families. Childhoods and family life can be ruined and this is compounded when victims do not receive appropriate, immediate and on-going support.

“By providing this training we can empower staff to spot the signs, help vulnerable children get the support they need as soon as possible and ensure criminals face the consequences of their actions. Last year, the Constabulary also visited hotels throughout Cheshire to deliver child exploitation training, and we are currently in the process of revisiting this.

“We are also offering to deliver this training to any companies in Cheshire who would like to receive it.

Please contact: 

HR.Learning.And.Development@cheshire.police.uk 

for more details."

David Longmate, Operations/Transport Manager at Warrington’s Own Buses, said:

“I certainly found the session really valuable, and the presentation will be hugely beneficial for us to take forward.”

Matt Gannon, Operation Manger for Stagecoach, said:

“My team really enjoyed the session and learnt a huge amount. This is hugely important to us to protect children using our buses.”