Cops arrest eight for child sexual exploitation including one man wanted for rape

By Davina Hyde

A police operation to tackle child sexual exploitation has resulted in eight arrests.

Detectives from the Met’s South West BCU’s Predatory Offender Unit, covering Merton, Wandsworth, Kingston and Richmond have arrested eight people for a variety of offences, including the arrest of a man wanted for rape.

The operation involved joint work between detectives, the Marine Unit and Dog units in order to bring the man into custody.

Officers have been undertaking visits to higher-risk areas and hospitality venues as part of Operation Harbour.

The offences have been investigated by detectives in the Community Safety Unit, Sapphire and Child Abuse Investigation Teams.

As well as conducting visits to potential hotspots, officers have been speaking with a number of local hotels to help them spot the signs of exploitation.

They have also been promoting the Ask for Angela Initiative, a scheme to promote the code word which people who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can use to ask for assistance from staff if they feel at risk while out.

The code-phrase will indicate to staff they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them.