Child protection is one of the most important issues of the modern age, there can be little doubt about that.

It sometimes seems that there are no end of individuals or gangs who aim to abuse, neglect or otherwise mistreat children and young people.

So it is absolutely vital that all the relevant agencies are at the top of their game when it comes to tackling the problem of children at risk of abuse.

West Yorkshire Police has come under fire for its lack of attendance at meetings and conferences with other organisations on how to address the wide and varied issues of child protection.

We all know the pressures that the police are under, and there are many criticisms of the time that our police are spending on paperwork and administration, with the intimation that it is reducing their ability to prevent and respond to criminal activity.

While that is true, and the police must carefully allocate what resources they have to the best effect, child protection simply must be put at the top of their agenda.

How this is practically done is a thorny issue that must be thrashed out at the highest level, but if the Government is committed to tackling child abuse, then it follows that whatever help or staffing levels the police need to fulfil their role in this regard must be properly provided.

Great strides are being made to stop the problem, and we are all more aware of the issues today than we have ever been before. Now we need to ensure that the police and their partners are fully able to do what is expected of them.