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This week, we celebrate and recognise Police Staff Week. This article features some reflections from our director, Richard Fewkes and news that the communications team were shortlisted for Police Staff Team of the Year Award.

The New year certainly began in a way that was unexpected for many who work across child protection.  Now we’ve had a moment to take a breath and process an eventful few weeks, here’s an update on what the team has been busy progressing behind the scenes.

Towards the end of last week and throughout the weekend, there has been considerable media focus on the issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation, particularly group-based child sexual exploitation, and the steps being taken to combat this deeply disturbing criminal activity.

During 2024 there were many achievements across the Child Protection and Abuse Investigation (CPAI) portfolio and for the Hydrant Programme and CSE Taskforce more specifically. As you know, in policing we must never stand still.  In this blog the NPCC lead for CPAI  ACC Becky Riggs, shares her aspirations for 2025.

Today (Friday 6 December) the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Taskforce and partners from across the hospitality industry are uniting in the fight against child exploitation and abuse, with the aim of stamping out some of the worst criminality our society sees.

Operation Makesafe provides a significant opportunity to prevent child sexual exploitation, specifically incidents which take place in hotels and other forms of accommodation within the hospitality industry.

Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce shines light on Group-Based Offending 

Today (Thursday 21 November) the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Taskforce have published a new report which sets out publicly a clear, detailed picture of police recorded group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation crimes across England and Wales in 2023. 

The CSE Taskforce has launched a new national campaign, ‘When You Are Ready’, that focuses on encouraging victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation to reach out for support.

This morning (Wednesday 25 October) Greater Manchester Police (GMP) carried out a series of warrants in connection with Operation Greenjacket – which was established in May 2019 to investigate allegations of child sexual exploitation in south Manchester.

Simon Bailey QPM, DL, CBE is the former National Police Chief Council Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigations. In this blog, Simon reflects on the origins of Hydrant (formally known as Operation Hydrant) and his personal reflections having lead the portfolio for seven years.

As the ten-year anniversary of the publication of the Independent Inquiry into child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham, conducted by Professor Alexis Jay OBE, draws near it’s a moment to reflect and recognise the courage of those victims who suffered some of the most horrific abuse.

This month we will reflect on the hard work, progress and partnership leading to better outcomes for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

On Monday 1 July, Assistant Chief Constable Becky Riggs became the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation, taking over from Ian Critchley QPM who has a new role with the College of Policing.