Dorset Police news site

A week of intensive proactive action to tackle child sexual abuse in Dorset has yielded positive results.

As part of a national child sexual abuse intensification week, led by the National Crime Agency in partnership with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, investigators committed to protecting victims in Dorset have been progressing investigations, making arrests and securing charges.

Action carried out during the week included dispatching officers to Gatwick airport to arrest a suspect in connection with alleged sexual offences involving a child, visiting a school to speak with a child following a third-party report of a sexual offence to hear their voice and meeting with partners around concerns over the care of a three-year old child.

Another developing job saw officers support an investigation into an injured infant, with a suspect interviewed by officers and released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Further work saw a suspect charged with exposure and outraging public decency offences following an investigation by detectives and the victim was updated in person.

Work on other ongoing investigations also saw officers liaising with partner forces and making arrangements to speak with victims to progress their cases during the week.

The partnership effort saw officers visit a school on behalf of another force to speak to a child about alleged physical abuse from a relative as well as attendance at multi-agency meetings to discuss concerns and strategies around vulnerable children.

Officers also attended court and liaised with the Crown Prosecution Service around cases already going through the court system.

The Force's Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) was busy during the week, making six arrests during the period of intensification and this was followed up by a total of 28 safeguarding visits.

Detective Superintendent Jim Beashel, of Dorset Police, said: “This week of activity is just a snapshot of the work that we are constantly undertaking to ensure vulnerable children are protected and perpetrators of child sexual abuse are held to account.

“These cases are often complex with a range of partnership working and careful liaison with victims and families involved.

“In an increasingly digital world, we are also working to combat online abuse and raise awareness amongst young people of the risks they face online.

“We all have a role to play in tackling child abuse and we would urge anyone with concerns or information relating to offences of this nature to please report it to us.”

Anyone with information or concerns that a child is being sexually abused is urged to report it directly to police, this can be done online via the Dorset Police website or via 101. Victims will be put in contact with a specially trained police officer. If a crime is in progress, always dial 999.