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Hertfordshire Constabulary is dedicated to keeping children safe in the county.
We have specialist units, with trained officers who investigate abuse against children and proactively carry out operations to target offenders.
We also work with partner agencies to ensure services are available to protect children.
Click below for more information on:
How we are keeping children safe in Hertfordshire
How we work with our partners to protect children
Keeping your child safe online
Keeping your child safe on the road
Further support and information
How we are keeping your children safe
Hertfordshire Constabulary has specialist units aimed at investigating child abuse and bringing offenders to justice.
These dedicated officers are trained to identify and work with those children and young people who are victims and provide them with the support and services that are required.
We also investigate abuse that is carried out over the internet and run proactive operations to catch those responsible.
Reporting child abuse
If you suspect that a child is not being treated correctly and is suffering abuse, then please come forward and let us know so we can take action.
Abuse can include:
• Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.
• Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.
• Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.
• Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.
You can call Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit via 0845 33 00 222.
Remember, always dial 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers, an independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
You can also call Hertfordshire Children, Schools & Families (including out of hours) on 0300 123 4043.
How we work with our partners to protect children
Hertfordshire Constabulary works with partners agencies, such as Hertfordshire County Council to ensure children are safe and properly looked after.
The Constabulary is a member of the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB), which brings together representatives of each of the main agencies and professionals responsible for protecting children from abuse and neglect.
The HSCB is committed to ensuring children are kept safe and that information is shared between the various agencies, with open and direct communication.
The HSCB replaced the Hertfordshire Area Child Protection Committees (ACPCs), as part of measures born out of the Children Act 2004. This followed the reports concerning child deaths and serious injuries, most notably, the Laming Inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie.
Keep your child safe online
It is important to make your children aware of the dangers of the internet.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) give parents/carers the ability to incorporate controls on computers used by children. Proper use of these controls will enable monitoring of computer use on the internet and restrict access to sites unsuitable for children.
Children should be reminded never to disclose personal information when using email, social networking sites or chatrooms and should never arrange to meet anyone without being accompanied by a trusted adult.
For more information about staying safe on the internet, click here
Keeping children safe on the roads
If you want more information about keeping children safe on the roads and in vehicles, please click here
Further support and information
There are a number of experienced charities and help groups, which provide support for victims, families and friends connected with child abuse.
NSPCC - National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000 is a free 24 hour service which provides counselling, information and advice to anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse. The helpline is staffed by experienced social work counsellors who will speak to you in confidence and if necessary make direct contact on your behalf with Hertfordshire Children Schools and Families, the police or your local NSPCC team.
Child Line 0800 1111 is a free advice service for children worried about all kinds of abuse and problems.
Other helpful websites include:
Chat Danger – Advice on how to keep safe in chat rooms
Child Watch - Charity working for the good of children and adults who have been abused
CyberPatrol - Parental control software to help parents manage their children's Internet access
Get Connected - Confidential Advice for Young People
Kidscape - Helping to keep children safe
Stop it now! - A partnership of leading children's charities, working with the government and child protection agencies, to promote public education and prevent child sexual abuse.
ThinkYouKnow – Advice for children and parents about staying safe online
UK Missing & Exploited Children - Helping to find missing children
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