Spot the signs
Train station staff & station‑based businesses
- Young people hanging around stations for long periods
- Appearing lost, frightened or unsure where they are going
- Being watched, followed or directed by someone nearby
- Avoiding staff or being prevented from speaking
- Repeated movement between platforms or exits
Taxi and private hire drivers
- Young person appearing frightened, anxious, withdrawn or distressed
- Looking unsure of where they are going
- Not knowing the destination, or giving vague or changing directions
- Appearing tired, disorientated, under the influence, or unwell
- Avoiding eye contact or appearing coached in what to say
- Another person insisting on speaking for the young person
- Someone monitoring the journey by phone or messaging
- Instructions being relayed during the journey
- Pressure to hurry, avoid certain routes, or not speak
Signs linked to the journey itself
- Repeated late‑night or long‑distance journeys involving a young person
- Multiple pick‑ups or drop‑offs in one journey, especially at unfamiliar or isolated locations
- Journeys to industrial estates, hotels, short‑stay addresses, or residential areas where the young person appears unfamiliar
- Changes to the destination mid‑journey, or instructions being given by phone or message
- The young person not knowing the address, or being unable to explain where they are going
- Pressure to avoid certain routes, hurry the journey, or stop in specific places
- Being asked to wait nearby while the young person goes inside briefly
- Someone else paying for the journey or monitoring the journey remotely
Bus drivers
- Young person appearing frightened, anxious, withdrawn or distressed
- Looking tired, unwell or unusually subdued
- Avoiding eye contact or appearing reluctant to speak
- Appearing unsure of where they are going
- Wearing clothing that seems inappropriate for the weather or situation
- A young person travelling very early, very late, or at unusual times
- Repeated journeys to unfamiliar areas
- Getting on and off at multiple stops without clear reason
- Frequent solo travel that seems inconsistent with age
- Changes in routine or behaviour compared to previous journeys
- Another person closely watching, directing or controlling a young person
- A young person being followed on or off the bus
- Someone else paying for the journey repeatedly
- Instructions being given by phone or message during the journey
- Young people waiting for long periods at stops
- Being collected by unknown adults after getting off the bus
- Appearing afraid to miss a stop or change plans
Key Resources:
View this bite-size training on spotting signs and reporting concerns; Op Henderson bitesize learning
The Children’s Society Look Closer campaign has a wealth of resources; #LookCloser To Spot Exploitation | The Children's Society
Here are some useful videos to raise awareness of exploitation signs;
Young people - Essex Safeguarding Children Board;
Parents/carers - Essex Safeguarding Children Board;
Professionals/volunteers - Essex Safeguarding Children Board