Concerns over vapes in return for underage sex

Hertfordshire Police said it believed some adults were buying vapes for underage children in return for sexual acts

Police have raised concerns children might be being exploited by adults offering to buy them vapes in return for sexual acts.

Officers from Hertfordshire Police visited six premises in Watford last week following concerns that shops may be selling vapes to underage children.

They said: "Recent intelligence also suggests that children could be being sexually exploited in return for vapes, which they cannot legally buy themselves."

During the operation, 800 illegal vapes were seized from two premises and "officers took the opportunity to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE), how to spot the signs and how to report it".

Sgt Dan Piper from the force's Halo team; said: "Our team specifically investigates child sexual exploitation.

"As part of our investigations, we have learnt that children could be exploited in return for vapes. Although an adult may purchase the vape, they could then give this to a child in return for sexual acts."

He said officers spoke with retailers in the town "to highlight the signs of CSE and handed out leaflets to raise awareness".

"Signs to look out for include adults befriending young people and buying them things, noticing adults that attend locations with different young people, younger individuals hanging around locations and interacting with older people and younger people loitering late at night or at times when they should be at school or college for example," he said.

"We also reminded shopkeepers that vapes should only be sold to people aged 18 and above. To sell any of these products to anyone under the age limit is considered a criminal offence."