A CRAVEN councillor has welcomed a council decision to join a campaign urging businesses to report suspected child sexual exploitation.
Craven District Council is now part of the 'Say Something If You See Something' drive to raise awareness of the locations where exploitation could take place, such as parks, pubs, bars, taxi ranks, shopping centres and leisure centres.
And the council is holding a drop-in information event, along with North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire County Council, outside Skipton Town Hall on Friday between 10am and 2pm.
The council is also writing to taxi and private hire firms in Craven, asking them to be the 'eyes and ears' of their communities. Leaflets will also be distributed to bars, pubs and restaurants in Craven.
Cllr Linda Brockbank, Craven District Council’s lead member for Working with Communities, said: “We know that businesses want to work with us to help protect children.
“If they are able to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation, grooming or human trafficking, and know how to report this crime, they can be a major force in tackling these terrible activities.
“I would urge businesses to come along to this information event to find out what you and your staff should do if you have concerns about a child.”
The North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board is running the campaign. Free e-learning on child safeguarding awareness can be found at www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/children-young-people/free-e-learning.
Child sexual exploitation involves children - those under the age of 18 - being encouraged or forced into a sexual relationship or situation by an adult.
Anyone with concerns about a child should speak to the North Yorkshire Children and Families Service on 01609 780780.