Operation Makesafe
Operation Makesafe has been developed in partnership with London’s boroughs to raise awareness of child exploitation in the business community, such as hotels, licensed premises, taxi companies, shops, and care homes.
Historically, Operation Makesafe was specific to child sexual exploitation (CSE) but now incorporates all forms of child exploitation, including sexual and criminal (CCE).
Our aims
The purpose of Operation Makesafe is to empower businesses and organisations to tackle child exploitation through increased awareness and training.
The campaign aims to achieve the following:
- Identify potential victims and ensure an effective safeguarding response.
- To work together with businesses, to upskill staff and protect vulnerable children from exploitation.
- Provide public reassurance and effective preventative measures.
- Enhance public safety and confidence.
The campaign is designed to help business owners and their employees identify potential victims of child exploitation and, where necessary, alert police officers to intervene prior to any young person coming to harm.
What’s involved
Businesses such as hotels, licensed premises, taxi companies, shops, and care homes are being provided with awareness training to help them recognise the signs of child exploitation. They are directed to call 101, quoting ‘Operation Makesafe’, should they suspect suspicious behaviour or activity on their premises or in their vehicles.
Met call handlers have received specialist training to identify calls relating to child exploitation and provide the appropriate advice and police response.
These businesses are also being provided with campaign posters and a training video to raise awareness amongst their customers and staff. This material is part of a training package and should not be used in isolation.
See 'downloads' below.