Children that come to notice must be treated as children, whatever the circumstances they find themselves in. Safeguarding children from exploitation and violence is ‘everyone’s business’. We need to draw upon and share intelligence and information from these children, their peers, their communities and from the wide range of professionals that support them or come into contact with them in order to manage risk. 

This document sets out the London operating protocol for safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children from exploitation. ‘The welfare of the child is paramount’. This protocol is police-led but equally owned by the Metropolitan Police Service, Local Authorities and Children’s Services and Health. This document is designed to complement and not replace the London Child Protection Procedures(www.londoncp.co.uk) and other statutory guidance. It outlines how, through our partnerships, we assess, challenge and provide an enhanced, effective service to reduce the harm and threats posed to children from exploitation and target offenders to prevent and disrupt criminality. 

London Child Exploitation Operating Protocol 2021