OUTREACH workers will be visiting rail stations in the Basildon area as they bid to raise awareness of child exploitation at stations and transport networks in the region.

Under the banner of 'Operation Henderson', a joint initiative is being run by Essex Safeguarding Children Board, Southend and Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnerships alongside partners including British Transport Police, Essex Police, the Violence and Vulnerability Unit, The Railway Children, Reach Every Generation, rail operators and local councils.

Local outreach workers will be engaging with young people at stations, talking to them about their experience of lockdown and how this has impacted them and their relationships.

They'll be raising awareness about signs of exploitation they may spot in their friends, and where to go if they need help (for themselves or their friends).

A| report from the joint safeguarding organisations says research and local data have shown transport networks are used by vulnerable young people who may be at risk of sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation and trafficking.

Young people often gravitate towards stations because they are anonymous places that also provide some form of shelter and access to food and drink, and with restaurants and non-essential retail back open for business we know footfall in and around stations will begin to increase.

Concerns about child exploitation can be reported to the Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers. If there are concerns about suspicious activity in the train station grounds the BTP text line number can also be used 61016.