West Mercia’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) has announced a £30,000 investment in the development of an app aimed at reducing the risk of young people becoming victims of online child sexual exploitation.
PCC John Champion said that a PowerApp is now being designed and built for West Mercia Police, which will allow a full system approach to reporting levels of exploitation, including cases where it is taking place online, and the action being taken by the force.
This will be directly fed to the PCC, chief officers, the Home Office and the National Crime Agency to support the management of information where risks can be identified earlier to prevent further cases of online CSE.
The move has come in response to a recommendation last year by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue (HMICFRS ) for all police forces to improve their management information and data processes to understand the visibility of risks, prioritisation and effective allocation of resources with regards to child sexual exploitation.
Stamping out crimes
Champion said: “By investing in tools such as the PowerApp, all official bodies can play their part in ensuring these heinous crimes are stamped out of our society and can ensure if CSE is reported, that action is taken immediately.
“I am proud to have provided this investment, which delivers on yet another one of the HMICFRS’ recommendations to ensure West Mercia Police is continually working on its response to CSE.”
Detective Superintendent, Leanne Lowe said: “We welcome tools which can assist in building a picture of these crimes and help us bring offenders to justice.
“The PowerApp is a great example of how advances in technology can support policing. It is vital we continue to work alongside our partners to keep communities safe and this is just one example of how we gather information effectively to work more collaboratively.”
