Dudley taxi drivers back campaign against child sexual exploitation.

More than 1,000 hackney and private hire drivers, licensed by Dudley Council, are pledging to help tackle child sexual exploitation (CSE) by being the 'eyes and ears' for this horrific crime.

All taxi drivers in the borough complete a CSE awareness session as part of their license conditions, arming them with the knowledge they need to spot the signs.

Shaz Saleem, chairman of Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association said: "The pledge shows the drivers' dedication to tackling this serious crime and protecting young people in our borough."

Meanwhile using the message 'Could this be your child?' an ongoing awareness campaign is helping parents and carers identify signs and get help.

It will reach parents and carers through the digital platforms they use, with a mix of animations and banners on popular gaming, entertainment and mobile messaging apps, social media and online magazines.

There will also be a large digital roadside screen at the junction of the M6 and M5, and posters at Birmingham's New Street Station and at the NEC.

This is the latest phase of the 'See Me, Hear Me' campaign, launched in June 2014 by West Midlands councils and police, to raise awareness of CSE.

CSE can affect any child, anytime, regardless of their social or ethnic background. It is child abuse and involves perpetrators grooming their victims in various ways, such as in person, via mobiles or online, to gain their trust before emotionally and sexually abusing them.

It can take place in many forms, whether through a seemingly consensual relationship, or a young person being forced to have sex in return for some kind of payment, such as drugs, money, gifts or even protection and affection.

Warning signs of CSE include having friends who are older, persistently going missing, secretive relationships with unknown adults, truancy from school, chronic fatigue, constant calls on a mobile phone and the possession of money or new things.

Councillor Ian Cooper, Dudley Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "Many of the signs of CSE in young people, on their own, may just seem normal teenage behaviour, but put together they could indicate something far more serious."

Information about CSE and how to spot the warning signs, along with help and advice for young people, parents and carers, professionals and schools, is available including for download at www.seeme-hearme.org.uk

Anyone who is concerned about the safety of a young person should call police on 101, speak in confidence to Barnardo's on 0121 359 5333, or in an emergency call 999.

Childline also have counsellors available at www.childline.org.uk