This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
This guidance has been written following a series of high-profile cases (Operation Span, Operation Retriever and Operation Bullfinch) in 2012/13 which highlighted the need for a consistent approach to identifying risks and safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation. It is designed to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE) matters, increase reporting, disrupt offender activity and increase safeguarding measures to help protect children and young people from being sexually exploited.
CSE is a form of child abuse and this guidance should, therefore, be read in conjunction with APP on child abuse, forthcoming guidance on working with vulnerable people and CPS (2013) Guidelines on Prosecuting Cases of Child Sexual Abuse(opens an external website in the same tab).