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12/11/2015
Six Arrested In Connection With Child Sexual Exploitation
Six people have been arrested in relation to offences linked to child sexual exploitation in Ballymena.
Detectives from the PSNI's Public Protection Branch have detained five men, aged 42, 56, 19, 23 and 17 and a 48-year-old woman.
The men were arrested on suspicion of rape and other related offences. The woman was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and false imprisonment. A number of searches have also been carried out and a number of items removed for further examination.
Detective Chief Inspector Deirdre Bones, from the PSNI's Public Protection Branch said: "It is important to note that although these arrests all took place in the Ballymena area, the suspects are not all linked to each other. This is not about organised sexual abuse by a group of people. The arrests are part of a wider PSNI investigation focused on child sexual exploitation.
"We all have a responsibility to tackle this issue and protect those who are the most vulnerable in our society. Child sexual exploitation is something that parents and carers everywhere need to be aware of. Think about what your children are doing, where they are going and who they are meeting.
"If you notice any changes in their behaviour or if they receive unexplained gifts that can't be accounted for such as jewellery or mobile phones or if you have any other concerns, it is important you take action. Contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also ring the NSPCC CSE Helpline on 0800 389 1701 or Childline on 0800 1111."
(CD/LM)
Detectives from the PSNI's Public Protection Branch have detained five men, aged 42, 56, 19, 23 and 17 and a 48-year-old woman.
The men were arrested on suspicion of rape and other related offences. The woman was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and false imprisonment. A number of searches have also been carried out and a number of items removed for further examination.
Detective Chief Inspector Deirdre Bones, from the PSNI's Public Protection Branch said: "It is important to note that although these arrests all took place in the Ballymena area, the suspects are not all linked to each other. This is not about organised sexual abuse by a group of people. The arrests are part of a wider PSNI investigation focused on child sexual exploitation.
"We all have a responsibility to tackle this issue and protect those who are the most vulnerable in our society. Child sexual exploitation is something that parents and carers everywhere need to be aware of. Think about what your children are doing, where they are going and who they are meeting.
"If you notice any changes in their behaviour or if they receive unexplained gifts that can't be accounted for such as jewellery or mobile phones or if you have any other concerns, it is important you take action. Contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also ring the NSPCC CSE Helpline on 0800 389 1701 or Childline on 0800 1111."
(CD/LM)
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