Mark Russell, Chief Executive at The Children’s Society, said

It’s fantastic that the IOC is supporting our campaign. The Children’s Society has launched an awareness poster for delivery drivers as part of its national Look Closer campaign which encourages people to look out for signs of child exploitation. The poster urges drivers who fear a vulnerable child or young adult they spot a at the door or en route to a delivery may be being exploited to report any concerns to the police.,

IOC chief exec, Tracey Worth is asking express courier companies to display the poster. It follows an initiative driven by the IOC security group chaired by Adrian Sherratt and Andy Magromallis to get the Look Closer posters in front of our sector’s delivery operatives. ‘Support The Children’s Society and help them protect children from exploitation and abuse,’ said Tracey.

You can download the poster here , then print and place in front of your drivers

Mark Russell, Chief Executive at The Children’s Society, said

It’s fantastic that the IOC is supporting our campaign. As delivery drivers, you spend a lot of time travelling within communities and neighbourhoods meaning there may well be opportunities for you to identify young people who you worry are being exploited or abused either in public spaces or inside houses.

Vulnerable children and young people faced risks both inside and outside the home, ranging from abuse and neglect by parents or carers to being groomed and exploited by predators for sex or into crimes like county lines drug dealing. You may not feel what you are reporting will be enough for the police to act upon but it could be a crucial piece in the puzzle in helping a child escape a situation of horrific abuse and unimaginable trauma.

Drivers are being urged to trust their gut instinct when deciding whether to contact police. Some of the signs they are being urged to look out for whilst delivering in the community include seeing children or young people who are:

-Looking lost or in unfamiliar surroundings
-Carrying a large amount of cash
-On their own or meeting different adults who don't appear to be parents
-Being instructed or controlled by another individual
-Accompanied by individuals who are older than them.

Exploitation and abuse can also be visible inside houses. The majority of sexual abuse happens inside the family home and vulnerable adults’ properties can be taken over by criminals and used as a base for packing and distributing drugs. If you are delivering mail, parcels, food, takeaways or other items to a house, you may be one of the only professionals in a position to spot and report concerns.

Things to look out for in houses:

· Unaccompanied children visiting a house where only adults live

· Young people who are anxious, frightened, angry, showing signs of neglect or displaying other behaviours that make you worried

· Children with bruises, burns, bite marks or fractures

· Appearing guarded around particular individuals

· Shouting or violence towards a young person

· Increased callers at a property

· Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of a time

· Not seeing the resident for long periods of time

· Unfamiliar vehicles at the property.

Adrian Sherratt, DPD, IOC joint chair of IOC security group, comments,

This is a great opportunity for the final mile courier sector to support The Children's Society in raising awareness and understanding of the signs and indicators of child exploitation and abuse. There is no typical victim. If something doesn't feel right, don't wait, report it.

Andy Magromallis, Rico, joint IOC security chair explains

If are concerned about a child, call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Or if you'd like to report your worries anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Only report your concerns when it is safe for you to do so, even if this is after the event that your concerns initially arose. Do not attempt to intervene yourself.