Cheshire Police is taking part in a national operation aimed at raising awareness of the sexual and criminal exploitation of children and young people that can occur in hotels and other businesses.

Following the findings of the Rotherham enquiry (1997 - 2013) and Rochdale enquiry (2018) - as well as many others across the country - it was identified that child exploitation could take place in hotels, licensed premises, taxi companies and shops.

It was decided that these businesses needed to be alerted to the risk, how to spot the signs and what to do if they suspected someone was exploiting a child.

As part or Operation Makesafe, officers across the county have begun visiting local hotels to help them understand the signs and empower them to take action to protect potential victims of child sexual or criminal exploitation. Once the hotels are all visited, we will also be visiting other businesses highlighted by the findings to help them understand the signs to look out for.

DCI Chris Williams said: "Sadly the exploitation of children can happen anywhere but particularly in hotels where perpetrators can hide behind anonymity of the do not disturb sign.

"It's vital we take action to protect them from harm by speaking with those who work in hotels and the leisure industry.

"You may now see one of the Op Makesafe posters in the hotel foyers of a hotel you visit, that means the staff are alert and fully aware of what they need to do to keep children safe.

"We want to make it difficult for these criminals to carry out their exploitation, whether they are grooming children to carry out crimes on their behalf, such as selling drugs, or to sexually exploit them.

"We won't just be targeting hotels, in time we will be visiting licensed premises, taxi companies, and shops as they can also be places where there is a risk."

You can find out more by going to Operation Makesafe | Cheshire Constabulary