Leeds is launching a special event to help hotels across the city tackle child sexual exploitation (CSE).
Licensed premises such as hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts are often used as locations to sexually exploit minors.
However, a number of hotels in Leeds have been actively asking for more advice and support on how staff can spot the signs of child abuse and put a stop to it.
In a bid to clamp down on the issue, the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership is hosting a free event this month alongside Safer Leeds, Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Police.
Jasvinder Sanghera CBE, chair of the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership said: "Working with businesses and organisations which may not usually be involved with safeguarding processes is not only necessary but in my view crucial in the fight against CSE.
"We recognise initiatives such as these as central to being ready and prepared to recognising and responding to sexual exploitation."
'Children are particularly vulnerable to sexual and criminal exploitation'
James Rogers, chair of Safer Leeds and director of Communities and Environment, Leeds City Council said: "Leeds City Council and partners aspire to be the best city in the UK and having safe, strong communities is a key priority for us.
"We take our responsibility to safeguard the most vulnerable in society very seriously. Children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation including sexual and criminal exploitation.
"This requires us to have a collaborative approach to protecting children and young people in our city.
"Hoteliers have asked us to help them understand the threat posed by this form of exploitation and what they can do to protect vulnerable young people on their premises and we’re pleased to be able to work in partnership with them.
"We want to ensure that those who work in and visit the hotels in Leeds do so safe in the knowledge that people are safeguarded."
The free event will be held on Thursday, February 27. Email dianne.wainwright@ambitionleeds.co.uk for more information or to book your place.
