Groups dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse met last week to decide how best to respond to the devastating crime and its effect on young people.

Police officers, councillors and voluntary organisations met at Chigwell Hall on Thursday (November 26), discussing the issue and how it is dealt with.

Organised after high-profile sexual exploitation cases around the country in places such as Rotherham, the conference aimed to raise awareness about the issue in Epping Forest.

Councillor Gary Waller opened the event, saying: “This is all about protecting vulnerable children.

“The lessons from Rotherham and other places is that all the organisations involved in the care of young people can have a role to play in identifying and tackling child sexual exploitation.

“It’s up to all of us to be aware of the potential symptoms and signs, and know what to do when see them.”

As well as gaining a better understanding of the grooming process, the groups hoped to improve how they respond to incidents and how they support victims of exploitation.

Cllr. Waller said: “It was a very valuable day… every lesson we can learn to protect our children has to be welcome.”

Safer communities manager for the district council, Caroline Wiggins, closed the conference.

She said: “If you are a young person suffering from sexual exploitation or somebody worried about what may be happening to someone else, help is available.”

She told people to call Essex Police or report concerns to social services, adding that help and advice is available from charities and voluntary organisations.

Childline can be phoned on 0800 1111 and the NSPCC Helpline is 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk.