ANGLESEY County Council staff showed their support to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) awareness day over the weekend.

The day, held on Sunday, aimed to unite the world against child sexual exploitation by highlighting the issues surrounding CSE.

The event encouraged everyone present to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults who develop inappropriate relationships with children.

The Council say that taxi drivers are in a unique position to help vulnerable young people as evidence shows that taxis are often used to transport children between hotels, pubs and other places where they are exploited.

Anglesey County Council Leader and Social Services Portfolio holder, Cllr Llinos Medi said: “This year we have worked closely with North Wales Police to raise awareness of the issue and organised training for the island’s taxi drivers.

"This included awareness sessions with officers from North Wales Police and Anglesey Council, highlighting safeguarding measures.

"They also underlined some of the signs that may signify that children or young people are being groomed for sexual exploitation.

Anglesey Council’s Head of Children’s and Family Services, Fôn Roberts added: “This is a very important campaign, which is not about scaring people, but rather raising awareness of CSE, what it is and what to look for.

"We would rather educate people so that it doesn’t happen, than try to pick up the pieces once it does.”

As well as providing a workshop for the island’s taxi drivers, the Council has also organised an awareness session with one of the survivors from the Rotherham abuse scandal for staff and partners in North Wales.

"This again will raise awareness and hopefully help us make changes not only locally but at a national level.” Fôn added.

“Our aim is to ensure that deterrents are put into place before the matter occurs.

"I would urge everyone to help us give children and young people who may be victims of CSE a voice.”