New chicken shop aims to help fight child exploitation

THE opening of the shop coincides with The Children’s Society's #LookCloser campaign, which encourages the public to spot and report the signs of child exploitation.

- By HEDI MEHREZ

The charity's #LookCloser campaign encourages everyone to be vigilant of children's behaviour and activity throughout their day and evenings ~ getting a takeaway, waiting for a taxi, or checking in to a hotel.

Many children and young people who are being exploited continue to fall through the gaps and remain unrecorded meaning the true extent of child exploitation in this country is not known and, tragically, many children and young people remain unsupported and have to face this horrifying reality alone.

Some common signs of child exploitation include:

■ A young person travelling alone, particularly late at night or on a regular basis.

■ A young person being instructed or controlled by another individual.

■ A young person who seems anxious, worried, or angry, or displays other behaviours that make you worried about them.

■ A young person carrying a lot of cash.

■ A young person talking about new friends they have met online.