A GROUP of young people responsible for anti-social behaviour in Shipley have been identified as being vulnerable to sexual and criminal exploitation.

A report by safeguarding officers to Bradford Council's Shipley Area Committee reveals that over 40 young people who had been linked to anti social behaviour in the town centre were flagged as being a risk of exploitation by sex groomers or by organised crimes.

The report says: " Referrals were made from Early Help to the Youth Service to work with some of the young people involved, however, the boys refused the service."

However, members of the committee will be told that youth workers carried out a raft of community outreach work in the town, building relationships with the young people and "reducing their vulnerability."

A group set up to help vulnerable girls has been set up to help build their "confidence and self worth."

A group will soon be opened to help young boys in the town "who are vulnerable to exploitation by organised gangs and also those who may be involved in anti social behaviour."

The Committee, which meets in Shipley Town Hall at 6pm, will be given an update on work being done to tackle Child Sexual Exploitation in the constituency.

The ward in the constituency where grooming is the biggest issue appears to be Windhill and Wrose, where each month around 12 young people are flagged as being at risk of CSE.