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Trio charged over online grooming alert

POLICE are urging parents and carers to play their part in “putting children first” to ensure their safety and wellbeing, with three men charged over alleged online grooming in the lead up to the 30th annual National Child Protection Week.

Since January, the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad has also arrested more than 560 people and laid more than 2,800 charges following investigations into child sexual assaults, serious physical abuse, extreme cases of neglect and online grooming.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, says National Child Protection Week (September 6-11) is a good opportunity to remind the community that all young people have the right to feel safe and supported.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Chris Goddard, said with more children spending time indoors at home, which often included activities on devices and on the internet, not only should they be very careful about providing personal information details to a person they only know in an online environment, they should never organise to meet, as doing so may place them at further risk of harm.
He also said recently there had been a number of people arrested that held positions of trust in the community, so it was worthwhile taking the time to make sure your children understood that help was always available if they ever needed it.
“The nature of incidents that our detectives are faced with can be difficult and confronting to investigate, but we will continue to work tirelessly to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” he said.
“If you or your child ever come across any concerning material online, contact local police immediately.”