SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies has expressed “deep concern”at the number of young people across his constituency deemed “at risk” of sexual abuse.

A report into the work of the specialist Bradford Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Hub revealed there were 30 young people aged between 11 and 18 in the Shipley constituency identified as being at risk of CSE.

Of the 30 children, three per cent were considered to be at high risk; 27 per cent medium risk and 70 per cent low risk.

The high risk category refers to a child assessed to be involved in high risk situations or relationships and at immediate risk of, or who is experiencing sexual exploitation.

The ward with the highest number of cases was Windhill and Wrose with nine, followed by Baildon with six, Bingley and Shipley with five each, Bingley Rural with three and Wharfedale with two.

Mr Davies said: “It’s deeply concerning. CSE is something that we in Shipley, think in terms of other parts of the Bradford district. The fact that 30 are considered at risk is a massive worry. I hope that the action that is needed is taken. The top priority is protecting the children and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

The report, which examined cases being dealt with by the Hub in October last year, also found that nine of the children at risk of CSE in Shipley were aged 14. The peak age for boys to be referred to the hub is 14 years, for girls it is 15. The report outlining arrangements by the Council and its partners to tackle CSE will be discussed by Shipley Area Committee tomorrow at Shipley Library from 6pm.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw (Lab, Windhill and Wrose) said: “As local councillors we’ve met with our youth workers a number of times to discuss CSE and we know they’re very alert to the dangers. Obviously just one child at risk of CSE is upsetting but it is thought that any increase in numbers is due to more people bravely coming forward and I know all cases are looked at seriously by the CSE hub.”

Across the entire Bradford district in 2015/16, there were 713 cases referred to the district’s CSE hub, up 65 per cent from 431 referrals in 2014/15. The cases involved 569 individual children, 106 of whom had been referred on more than one occasion.

"Almost 50 per cent of children open to the hub were identified as children in need, subject to child protection plans, or classed as looked-after children. The hub is made up of representatives from Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police and children’s charities.

"A total of 78 per cent of identified offenders linked to CSE crimes are under 36 years old, while almost 60 per cent are under 25.

Michael Jameson, Bradford Council’s strategic director for children’s services, said: “We continue to make CSE a priority in the work of the council and our partners.

"This is a vile crime that we will not tolerate and will do all we can to bring perpetrators to justice and raise awareness so that parents, children and communities can recognise the signs and know how to take action.”

Anyone with concerns about the safety of a child can call West Yorkshire Police on 101, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or children’s services initial contact point on 01274 437500.

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