West Midlands children 'at risk of sexual exploitation'

The reports suggest 720 children are at risk in the West Midlands

Up to 720 children are at risk of being sexually exploited in places such as children's homes, hotels and parks, new figures for the West Midlands show.

The figure was revealed in two reports compiled by councils, the NHS and the police.

The reports said there are 372 suspected offenders potentially preying on children in Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country.

Those behind the reports said they were determined to protect children at risk.

One report, the West Midlands Metropolitan CSE Regional Framework, has been published by councils including Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton, West Midlands Police and partner organisations.

It revised a previous report published in March.

'Risk radar'

A West Midlands Police report - the CSE Risk Profile - identified more than 90 specific places where youngsters were likely to be targeted in Birmingham, including 17 children's homes and 14 hotels.

Supermarkets, parks, youngsters' own homes and even one case of a special school being targeted were also flagged up in the report, first published in March 2015 but made public on Wednesday.

Councils and police have said they need to work more closely with parents and young people.

Stephen Rimmer, who led the regional framework report, said: "The latest figures show that there are now 720 girls and boys on our 'risk radar' - this is much closer to the real figure than ever before.

"We are getting to grips with this serious problem."

Birmingham City Council was praised by a High Court judge for its "bold and innovative" legal move in successfully applying for civil injunctions against 10 men, involving suspected child sexual exploitation.

Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said the police report gave "real insight" into the problem of CSE across the region.

He said: "We are seeing more victims coming forward to report abuse, knowing we will take their allegations seriously."