Children’s summer safety campaign launched

Parents, guardians and care givers are being urged to spot the signs of child exploitation this summer.

It’s part of the annual ‘Is Your Child Safe?’ campaign launched by Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones.

The aim is to raise awareness of exploitation and give families and carers the tools they need to recognise the warning signs.

It also offers guidance on what to do and where to get help.

The campaign’s run in conjunction with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violence Reduction Unit, Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council.

PCC Donna Jones said: “The exploitation of children is a very real issue that’s happening right now in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“We have a collective responsibility to protect them.

“The signs are subtle but they are indicators for when a child is being groomed for criminal or sexual exploitation.

“We all need to understand what they look like, how to prevent exploitation from happening, how to get advice and how to support children who become the victims of criminalisation and abuse.”

Child exploitation is when someone uses a child for financial gain, sexual gratification, labour or personal advantage.

These people, normally older children or young adults, offer money, drugs, gifts, protection, friendship, love or affection to gain the child’s trust.

Perpetrators may also use physical violence and threats to coerce a child into having sex or committing crimes such as carrying and delivering cash or drugs for a gang.

Children who go missing are much more vulnerable to exploitation and it is often the most common sign that something is wrong. In the last 12 months, from July 2024 to June 2025, 3069 children were reported missing to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. Many of these children went missing several times.

PCC Donna Jones added: “There is an undercurrent of child exploitation across our two counties. Children often don’t see that these people aren’t their friends so I’m pleased to be launching this child safety campaign in partnership again this summer.”

See the signs

• Regularly going missing/coming home late
• Increasingly secretive
• Suddenly having an older boyfriend/girlfriend or friendship group
• Sudden change in friendships
• Returning home under the influence of drugs/alcohol
• Unexplained injuries
• STDs or pregnancy/terminations
• Getting into trouble at school/in the community
• Suddenly having expensive clothes, trainers, money and valuable items
• Asking for money for often excessive need for money
• Receiving a lot of texts/phone calls
• Burner phones/multiple phones
• Sudden interest in gang culture/drill music or other types of music you are not familiar with
• Change in language – use of urban slang or phrases related to drug dealing
• Carrying items linked to criminal activity like weapons, balaclavas, tools, stash bags or small weighing scales

What can I do?

• Ask questions and listen without judgement. Children need to know they can talk without fear of their parents getting cross and upset.
• Pay attention to their behaviour. Many children cannot voice their worries but will show them in how they act.
• Know their friends. Question new friendships and be aware of any secrecy around these.
• If your child is picked up by someone in a car, make you know who they are and where they are going, and record as much detail as possible.
• If your child takes a journey on a train or bus on their own, check their ticket, know the route and their destination.
• Take an active interest in their online life by checking their phone and internet history.
• Use online security settings and talk about the sites they are visiting and why.

Get help

Visit www.isyourchildsafe.org to see the support available in your area.