DORSET Police has pledged to do all in its power to protect youngsters from the “real and constant threat” of child sexual exploitation (CSE).

More resources have been invested to pursue and prosecute offenders who exploit vulnerable young people.

And a raft of measures have been put in place to identify those at risk and prevent them coming to harm.

The measures are in response to recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into CSE in Rotherham. The inquiry examined how authorities had failed to act despite widespread abuse over nearly two decades.

Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “Dorset may be one of the safest places to live in the country but nowhere is unaffected by constant threat of child sexual exploitation.

“CSE is a toxic cancer that spreads throughout the fabric of society and we must do all we can to stamp it out.”

Recent studies in Dorset have revealed a number of children deemed to be at high risk. Children who are regularly reported missing are said to be in danger and controlled drugs are believed to be a factor in eight out of ten cases.

Chief Constable Debbie Simpson said numerous actions are now in progress including a CSE Strategy, improved training for officers and staff, monitoring of the internet and a new procedure to deal with missing children.

More will be done within the next three months including joining forces with other agencies, a review of the Public Protection Unit and development of a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub.

She said: “I am absolutely determined that we will continue to support our most vulnerable victims. I am reassured that our staff are responding appropriately to the Rotherham recommendations.”

  • Spotlight on the issues

NEXT week, the Daily Echo puts the spotlight on the twin issues of child abuse and mental health.

Throughout the week, we’ll be looking at the effects abuse has on young victims and their families and why many must wait so long – sometimes months, for inadequate mental health support.

We’ll be talking to a 15-year girl abused by her stepfather, to her mother and to charities, mental health service providers and to Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

And we’ll be asking why mental illness is not treated with the same urgency and respect as physical illness and why so many young abuse victims are being let down by the system.