Second safety conference a success!
Monday, 11 October 2021
Over 150 people attended our online safety conference, in September.
As part of our ongoing work to tackle exploitation, along with other partner agencies, we continue to work to raise awareness of different types of exploitation including cuckooing, child sexual exploitation (CSE) and forced labour.
Eight different agencies spoke at the event, including the National Crime Agency, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, YouTurn Futures, Path to Recovery, and our own adult services and housing teams.
St. Giles Trust also presented and featured the stories of two young people who had previously been exploited by gangs. Its team spoke about their own experiences, offering a valuable insight into how young people are targeted and exploited into criminality. Both young people have since turned their lives around after receiving support from St. Giles Trust, which works with people facing challenges including poverty, deprivation, mental health issues and crime and helps them build a better future.
Comments from attendees included:
Brilliant session. My take from this is that everyone could be affected by child criminal exploitation and county lines. Also, there is support out there if needed. Interesting views from different speakers and hearing from some people who have lived this experience was priceless. Thanks again.
The whole conference has been so informative and valuable. I have learned a lot but more so taken on board the different sectors of support for our young people and vulnerable.
The virtual conference was the second organised by our Safer Communities and Partnership team, this year; the first taking place in March.
Councillor Ian Dalgarno, our Executive Member for Community Services, said:
We are working hard to make sure everyone – professionals and the public – knows how to spot the signs of exploitation so we can protect vulnerable people, safeguard victims and work with partners to take action against offenders. The conferences have proved really successful, and are just one of the ways we’re working to raise awareness.
Our Safer Communities and Partnership team have also been working with businesses across Central Bedfordshire as well – our communities are key to helping us tackle issues like this, so raising awareness of the signs of exploitation continues to be an important focus.
To report concerns about cuckooing, email community.safety@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
You can also call Bedfordshire Police on 101. You can also report information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.