Hello

Tuesday this week marked National Child Exploitation Awareness Day organised by the National Working Group Network.

Child sexual exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18, into sexual or criminal activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.

To mark the national awareness day, Sussex Police launched their new Children and Young Persons Strategy 2025-2028, which sets out their commitment to protect children from harm.

You can view the new strategy on Sussex Police's dedicated Children and Young People webpage.

Young people are our future so it’s vital we protect and nurture them. It’s reassuring for residents to learn that Sussex Police have this dedicated strategy outlining how they will tailor their policing response to our children.

Research shows that, by adopting a child-centred approach, the police can build trust and confidence with children which in turn encourages reporting, reduces youth offending and allows for increased engagement opportunities between police and the young people they meet.

Our children are growing up in an ever-increasing digital world which is why Sussex Police’s dedicated Young Persons Strategy continues to evolve and develop. This month, the Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme revealed that, in 2023, 52% of reports of child sexual abuse involved children offending against other children. Policing must adapt quickly to meet these evolving challenges.

2025 also marks the fourth year that I have commissioned a programme with leading children’s charities, Barnardo’s and YMCA WiSE where young people, at risk of exploitation, are offered safeguarding and education sessions with specialists.

It is only through dedicated programmes and specialist strategies, including tailored education, engagement and early intervention, that we can hope to keep our future generations safe.

Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs) provide reporting tools and in-person support to businesses in their area and they work closely with the police and local authority to help prevent and tackle crime.

Earlier this week, I was delighted to hear that Arun District Council has announced an important development for local businesses with the launch of the Arun Business Crime Reduction Partnership.

Last week, however, we heard that the funding for the Crawley BCRP (Crawley and Gatwick Business Watch) would no longer be provided through the Business Improvement District levy on business rates.

After discussing this with Sussex Police, local businesses and councillors, I have decided to step in to fund Crawley and Gatwick Business Watch for the next 12 months. This will help preserve the valuable work already being delivered and the support it provides to local businesses.

I look forward to visiting Crawley soon to see some of the crime prevention collaboration underway that has dramatically helped police and businesses to prevent, deter and reduce crime in the town. You can read more about the Crawley and Gatwick Business Watch on their website.

Katy Bourne OBE
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner