A NEW hub set up to prevent child exploitation in Bradford has been launched.

The Child Exploitation Hub, created by Bradford Council, the police, health and other child protection professionals was launched last Thursday with an event at The Great Victoria Hotel in Bradford.

The agencies already work closely with each other as partners in the ‘Bradford Partnership – Working Together to Safeguard Children’ but the new hub is designed to enhance their partnership practice.

Almost a year ago a damning report into child exploitation in Bradford over the past two decades found that some vulnerable children in the District remain “unprotected.”

The launch event featured a presentation on Breaking the Cycle, which sees youth workers help young people who are at risk of being criminally exploited and falling into crime, as well as discussions on child trafficking.

Superintendent Richard Padwell of Bradford District Police said: “We welcome the launch of the multi-agency Child Exploitation Hub. Tackling child sexual and criminal exploitation across Bradford and safeguarding children is a top priority for the force.

“The hub works to identify potential victims at an early stage and work with them to put in place bespoke preventative safeguarding measures.

“We would always encourage victims to come forward and report offences to our specially trained officers.”