British Transport Police in Nottinghamshire safeguarded vulnerable children travelling alone in three separate incidents on Tuesday evening.
The three youngsters involved had all been identified by social services as being at risk of exploitation by criminal gangs.
In a tweet on late Tuesday night, BTP Nottinghamshire encouraged members of the public to learn to spot signs of child criminal exploitation.
The tweet read: “In separate incidents this evening we have safeguarded three children travelling alone who had been identified by social services as being vulnerable to exploitation by criminal gangs.
“Could you spot the signs of child criminal exploitation? Learn them at nspcc.org.uk.”
The NSPCC lists frequently being absent from school, going missing from home, staying out late, travelling for unexplained reasons, using new slang, being angry, aggressive or violent, self harming and having unexplained money as some of the potential signs a child or young person has joined a gang.
The organisation advises on its website: “It might be hard to spot at first, but the sooner you’re able to talk to the young person the more you’ll be able to help them.”
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