SPECIALLY-trained police officers will offer advice to young people to try and combat child sexual exploitation, as part of a countywide awareness campaign.

Police have been holding a week of events to raise the profile of the problem, with an awareness day being held in Bury last week.

It follows the launch of Greater Manchester Police's 'It's Not Okay' campaign, and the associated Project Phoenix, which sees different agencies work together to educate young people and target perpetrators of the crimes.

Dawn Copley, assistant chief constable, said: "We all have a responsibility to stop child sex exploitation (CSE) and Project Phoenix is reflective of this joint effort to detect it, prevent it, and most importantly protect those at risk. To be clear, tackling the sexual exploitation of children and young people is our absolute priority.

"It is crucial that we do everything in our power to disrupt and prosecute individuals who prey on vulnerable children, and that these children are believed and protected. We need the help of parents, teachers and our wider community to spot the signs and stop CSE in its tracks.

"It is crucial that the children of Greater Manchester understand what child sexual exploitation is and to know where to turn."

The county's Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd quizzed top officials about what more has been done to tackle child sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester during a meeting at Stockport Town Hall last week, which heard from speakers including Sir Peter Fahy, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable.

Mr Lloyd said: "Child sexual exploitation is child abuse, plain and simple. It destroys the lives of victims and their families, and its impact can be felt across whole neighbourhoods.

"Young people have been badly let down before, and we owe it to them to make sure past mistakes are not repeated. I want to know what work is being done to protect our children, bring offenders to justice, and support those victims who have been brave enough to come forward and report it."

(blob) CREATIVE pupils are being urged to take part in a poster competition tackling child sexual exploitation.

High school students, aged 11-16, in Bury and across Greater Manchester are eligible to design posters for the ‘It’s Not Okay’ campaign.

Project Phoenix manager Damian Dallimore, said: “We want young people to understand what CSE is and speak out if they are suffering or have concerns about one of their friends - and we hope that winning poster will reflect this message.”

The winning poster will form part of the next ‘It’s Not Okay’ publicity campaign and will be showcased at the Project Phoenix national conference in Manchester on May 21.

The winner will also receive £100 in shopping vouchers.

Submissions can be sent online or via post. For more information: visit itsnotokay.co.uk