Cleveland Police Rated ‘Inadequate’ in Protecting Children
A recent report reveals Cleveland Police’s failure to adequately protect vulnerable children from exploitation and harm
Cleveland, England, Child Protection, Police Report, Exploitation
Cleveland: A new report has raised serious concerns about how Cleveland Police handle cases involving children. The inspector, Michelle Skeer, pointed out that the force struggles to connect the dots between missing kids and child exploitation.
She emphasized that they really need to step up their game in assessing and responding to children who might be at risk or have already been harmed.
The inspection found the police rated as inadequate in both responding to children at risk and investigating cases of child abuse and neglect. This report came out just as the nation is grappling with the issue of grooming gangs that have targeted many teenage girls across England, including in Middlesbrough.
Ms. Skeer noted that the police often fail to recognize the dangers faced by missing children and don’t respond effectively. She also highlighted the need for better investigations into online sexual exploitation cases, which includes understanding the broader risks posed by offenders.
Despite the hard work of officers, the report suggests that the outcomes for children aren’t consistently good, which could leave them vulnerable.
One case study in the report showed how a 15-year-old girl went missing from a care home. It took the police over five hours to respond, and there wasn’t much action during that time. When she returned, she told officers she had been at her boyfriend’s house, but the police didn’t really dig into whether she was safe there.
The inspectors were also troubled by some comments made by supervisors that seemed to blame the victims, which is definitely not the right approach.
Assistant Chief Constable Richard Baker acknowledged the challenges faced in Teesside due to social issues. He mentioned that the police have already made improvements in several areas and are committed to protecting children.
He assured that the safety of vulnerable children will remain a top priority for Cleveland Police, and they’re determined to keep working hard to provide the support these kids need.