Hyndburn taxi drivers have been undertaking safeguarding training.

The training aims to help taxi drivers identify the signs that may indicate a young person is being sexually exploited.

The National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Raising Day aims to highlight the issues surrounding child sexual exploitation; encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children.

The training was delivered by Accrington and Rossendale College.

Cllr Munsif Dad, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said, “The National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Raising Day provides a timely opportunity to talk about and raise awareness of this important issue.”

Taxi driver, John Weeks, said “The training was very informative and will definitely assist me in playing my part to help safeguard vulnerable young people.”

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw added: “Tackling the sexual exploitation of children is a key priority and it’s not just a policing issue. We must all do what we can to prevent these crimes from happening and to enable people to spot the signs so they can raise the alarm if needed. The training for taxi drivers does exactly that and I am happy to give it my full support.”

“Unfortunately young people do still fall victim to sexual exploitation which is why I have set up Nest Lancashire to provide support for victims of crime aged 10 to 18 years old across the county. Young people who have been affected can access specialist advice, counselling and support to help them report issues and get back on their feet.”

Cllr Gareth Molineux, Cabinet Member for Resources, said; “Raising awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation is vitally important, so that everyone across the country knows that we all must play our part, learn how to spot the signs and speak out to stop it.

“This training is all about working together to inform, educate and prevent children from being sexually abused and it has now become a mandatory requirement to undertake the CSE module as part of gaining a new taxi licence.

“I am really pleased that Hyndburn’s taxi drivers are whole-heartedly supporting this initiative as they are the eyes and ears of the local community and can help in the fight against child sexual exploitation.”