West Mercia Police Chief Invests in App to Combat Child Sexual Exploitation

Image source: istock.com/Urupong

The West Mercia Police Chief Constable (PCC) has announced a £30,000 investment in developing an app to reduce the risk of young people becoming victims of online child sexual exploitation.

PCC John Champion said work is currently underway to design and build a PowerApp for West Mercia Police, which will enable the force to have a full system for reporting abuse, including cases where it occurs online and the action taken by the force.

This information is passed directly to the PCC, Chief Officers, the Home Office and the National Crime Agency, enabling risks to be identified earlier and further online CSE cases to be prevented.

The move follows a recommendation last year from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue (HMICFRS) that all police forces improve their management information and data processes to help them understand the visibility, prioritisation and effective allocation of resources in relation to child sexual exploitation.

Eradicate crimes

Champion said: “By investing in tools like the PowerApp, all official bodies can play their part in ensuring that these heinous crimes are eradicated from our society and that immediate action is taken when CSE is reported.

“I am proud to have made this investment, which once again delivers on one of HMICFRS’s recommendations to ensure West Mercia Police continually improves its response to CSE.”

Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Lowe said: “We welcome resources that can help us build a picture of these crimes and help us bring offenders to justice.

“The PowerApp is a great example of how technological advancements can support policing. It is vital that we continue to work with our partners to keep communities safe and this is just one example of how we are effectively gathering information to work more collaboratively.”