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Kent Police have been visiting hotels in the Maidstone area to check staff remain alert for signs of child exploitation.
On Friday 31 January, they visited nine businesses as part of a campaign to protect vulnerable victims from those who seek to harm them. Employees who come into contact with customers were reminded to be aware of the things that indicate a person may be at risk from a third party and what steps they should take to ensure the police can intervene.
Inspector Joe Breen said:
‘Protecting children from harm is a major priority for us and we are aware that hotel accommodation can at times be used by criminals wishing to exploit vulnerable victims. Our visits are intended to provide staff in the hospitality industry the knowledge to spot someone in danger of harm and give them confidence to deal with the situation, working with us to bring potential victims to safety.’
‘Further training is offered to hotels and employees, several hotels in Maidstone requested additional inputs. We will be continuing the operation across the county to ensure every opportunity is taken to protect the vulnerable and bring offenders to justice.’
Following this deployment, Kent Police have been requested to assist with the training of around 20 hotels and are looking forward to supporting the venues to keep children safe.