Police officer recognised for work in protecting vulnerable children, Plymouth

A Devon & Cornwall Police officer has been recognised for his work in protecting vulnerable young people, across Plymouth.

Police Constable Mike Smith, who works in the neighbourhood team in Plymouth City Centre, received a ‘We See You, We Hear You’ award from the National Safeguarding Adults Board for his work in preventing crime. In September this year, PC Smith launched a two-week campaign, named Op Makesafe, to raise awareness of exploitation with the general public, highlighting the signs to spot, and how to report it to the police.

Inspector Tom Crabb, who heads up the neighbourhood police team, said: “This work has been vital in safeguarding young people in our city, now and into the future. PC Smith identified an opportunity to push educational messages to the public around child exploitation in an effort to target and deter people who look to cause harm those most vulnerable in our communities. We put posters and leaflets out across Plymouth, as well as used digital screens to highlight what exploitation is and what people can do if they suspect something is not quite right.

“There was also a real focus on police presence and engagement across a two week period; PC Smith organised high-visibility patrols calling into local shops, licensed premises and restaurants to provide important information to staff about exploitation. Police officers were supported by cadets during a number of their patrols. A successful plain clothes operation also took place in local hotels as part of this campaign to raise awareness of child exploitation.”

The operation involved a plain clothed male police officer, with a 15-year-old boy, and another officer with a 15-year-old girl, visiting a number of hotels, attempting to book a double room for the night. In all but three of the hotels visited, both plain clothes officers were able to get to the point of payment unchecked or challenged. Those that failed to challenge the plain clothed officers were given advice on the steps to take to help stop any potential exploitation.

On receiving his award, PC Smith said: “I’m proud to have been able to make a difference in our community with this campaign. Knowing we’ve helped raise public awareness of child exploitation and how to spot the signs has been rewarding. It’s imperative that everyone in our community continues working together to tackle this issue and keep young people safe. Thank you to all our local partners and the Police Cadets who made this campaign possible.”

The Op Makesafe campaign in Plymouth will be used across other force areas in the UK.

For more information about child exploitation, the signs to spot and how to report it, visit: Op Makesafe | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)

If you suspect a person of carrying out child sexual exploitation, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, visit www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/cse or call our non-emergency number, 101. 

If someone is in immediate danger of harm, please call 999 immediately.