Campaign hopes to end child exploitation on trains

Officers from Essex Police were at Chelmsford train station in Essex as part of the campaign last year

Vulnerable children are at risk and can be exploited when using transport networks, claims a multi-agency group.

Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB), alongside partners, has been raising awareness of child exploitation in a campaign called Operation Henderson.

Offenders use bus and rail networks to traffic young people for sexual and criminal exploitation, said a spokesperson for ESCB.

Workers from the board and supporting partners have been talking to passengers, businesses, and young people about spotting signs of exploitation at stations across the county.

A spokesperson for the charity Railway Children said: "Over the past decade, the UK has seen an increase in county lines gangs using the rail network to exploit children into trafficking drugs."

Essex Police is among several organisations that take part in the twice-yearly campaign. It was last held on 25 July.

David Archibald, ESCB independent chair, said: "Child exploitation is a horrendous crime that can affect any child, from any community.

"Young people can be particularly vulnerable to exploitation when using public transport due to the anonymity these places offer.

"I’m proud that we continue to run the Operation Henderson campaign across Essex to raise awareness of how to spot exploitation and where to report concerns.

"Everyone has a role to play in helping to stop exploitation."