Police in Greater Manchester say they are now acting faster and more effectively to protect vulnerable children following past failures, with one recent hotel incident showing how joined-up safeguarding is making a difference.
Greater Manchester Police received a 999 call from a hotel receptionist concerned about a man checking in with a girl who appeared to be underage. The receptionist discreetly asked the girl if she needed help. Though she said no, she appeared frightened. Officers arrived before the call had even ended.
The man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug offences and attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child. The girl, 14, was safeguarded.
The incident was captured on a police body camera and shared with Sky News as part of GMP’s efforts to restore public trust following years of criticism over its handling of child sexual exploitation cases in Rochdale and Oldham.
The call was one of many made under Operation Makesafe, which trains frontline staff in hotels, transport, and takeaways to spot the signs of exploitation and report concerns immediately.
Detective Inspector Chris Chadderton said the speed of response was a result of better coordination between agencies. "Obviously, they're happy to speak to their social workers," he said. "Us working together, being in the same office, that information passes on a lot quicker."
Operation Makesafe runs alongside Operation Luka, a wider programme launched two years ago to proactively patrol hotspots, disrupt exploitation, and identify vulnerable children. Together, the two operations have led to more than 360 criminal disruptions and around 270 children being safeguarded so far.
The initiatives are part of GMP’s attempt to move beyond the deep institutional failings exposed by three independent reviews into historic group-based child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester.
Chadderton said success is not just measured in prosecutions. "It’s sometimes about making sure we can get that young person out of that situation where they feel trapped," he said.
The incident at the hotel reflects the broader shift in approach, with safeguarding no longer seen as a task for one agency alone. Social workers, police and health workers now operate from a single safeguarding hub in central Manchester and conduct joint patrols in areas known to be high risk, including Piccadilly Gardens.
Their message to offenders is clear, staff in places like hotels are trained, watching, and ready to call police, who are now arriving within minutes.
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