EFFORTS to safeguard children from sexual exploitation will come under increased scrutiny in North Yorkshire.

Specialist detectives from North Yorkshire Police are due to present a “health check” report to the Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan.

Mrs Mulligan requested the thematic inspection of the Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit at the Corporate Performance and Scrutiny Group on September 10, in the wake of the recent Rotherham and Rochdale investigations which placed a national spotlight on the issue of child sexual exploitation.

A similar report was made public in Middlesbrough recently.

The findings regarding current policies and procedures, how the police works with partner agencies and maintaining national best practice in North Yorkshire and the City of York, will be brought before the scrutiny group on Wednesday, October 15.

Chief Constable Dave Jones said: “Child sexual exploitation is clearly a very worrying issue that must remain a top priority for the police service and partner agencies to safeguard vulnerable young people from this despicable abuse.

“Whilst various recent inspections show North Yorkshire Police and its safeguarding partners have effective practice and procedures, I fully support the additional scrutiny instigated by the commissioner.

“Not only will it help to ensure offenders are brought to justice and victims receive the best possible service from the police, it is an important measure to reassure residents that the authorities in North Yorkshire and York are working effectively to tackle child sexual exploitation.”