THE POLICE are set to run a special event aimed at encouraging the wider Isle of Wight public to spot the warning signs of child exploitation.

Run in partnership with the charity, NWG's, Network’s National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, an awareness event will be held at the Lord Louis Library in Newport on Saturday.

There will be teams from the Isle of Wight Police, together with a number of agencies, including the Youth Offending Team, Children’s Services, Network Ryde, the NHS, Community Action IOW and other community safety partners.

The event will run from 1pm until 4pm.

"This is an opportunity for members of the public to chat to us about child exploitation, raise any concerns they have and, in turn, we will also be offering information to you about how to spot the signs that a young person is being exploited, and how to report this," a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said. 

"Please drop in and have a chat with us."

Exploitation can take many forms and can blight the lives of children and their families.

Abusers use blame, shame and guilt to coerce children into criminal and sexual activity, and, once under the control of criminals, children can find it very hard to reach out for help.

"We want to expose those who abuse children in this way and highlight the warning signs parents, carers and teachers should be aware of, so that they can intervene at an early stage.

"The police and partners will not hesitate in doing everything we can to safeguard and support young people, while seeking to target adults who treat children as their property to fulfil their criminal activity."

In addition to the event, officers will also be out on patrol in the Newport area, chatting to young people to make them aware of exploitation — offering them advice and reassurance and making sure they know who to speak to if they’re worried about anything.