Cleveland Police rated inadequate over response to missing children and online child sexual exploitation
Cleveland Police needs to urgently improve its response to children who are missing, and how it investigates online child sexual exploitation - according to a new report from the police watchdog
Last updated 1st May 2025
Cleveland Police needs to urgently improve its response to children who are missing, and how it investigates online child sexual exploitation - according to a new report from the police watchdog.
HMIC graded the force on how it safeguards children at risk - finding them inadequate in 2 areas - for both "responding to children at risk of harm" and "investigating child abuse, neglect and exploitation".
HMICFRS said that the force invests in partnerships, working well with local and national partner organisations on safeguarding arrangements for children. Inspectors said that there are third-sector workers working in different teams across the force, directly supporting child and adult victims of abuse.
However, inspectors identified two causes of concern regarding the force’s performance. Firstly, the inspectorate said that the force doesn’t consistently recognise the risks posed to missing children and does not respond to them effectively.
It also needs to improve how it investigates cases involving children being sexually exploited online. This includes how it assesses wider risks posed by offenders, and how it provides support to children and families.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said:
“Cleveland Police has worked hard over the years to improve how it safeguards vulnerable children and families. I commend officers and staff for their dedication and steadfastness in a demanding environment, but the force needs to do more to achieve consistently good outcomes.
“The force doesn’t have enough trained officers and staff to investigate reports of child abuse, neglect and exploitation. Also, although the force has worked hard to train its officers and staff, this training doesn’t always result in improving outcomes for children.
“Chief officers and senior leaders understand their statutory responsibilities to safeguard children and invest in partnership working. But it must effectively share relevant information with its safeguarding partners and improve how it assesses and responds to children at risk of, or harmed by, online exploitation.
“I will closely monitor progress within Cleveland Police over the coming months.”
The report was published on Wednesday as the national debate continued over the grooming gangs which have raped, trafficked and abused hundreds of teenage girls in dozens of towns across England - including Middlesbrough, in the Cleveland force area.
Central to the national outcry over this form of CSE has been the historical failure of police, social workers and other agencies to respond to children who have gone missing, especially those in local authority care.
Ms Skeer said in her report: "The force doesn't consistently recognise the risks posed to missing children. Nor does it respond to them effectively."
She said: "And the force needs to improve how it investigates cases involving children being sexually exploited online. This includes how it assesses wider risks posed by offenders, and how it provides support to children and families."
The HMI said that officers and staff "are committed to safeguarding children, while operating in an increasingly complex and demanding environment", but said: "Despite the efforts of senior leadership, the force isn't yet achieving consistently good outcomes for children.
"This affects the provision of safeguarding and potentially leaves children at risk."
In Wednesday's report, the inspectorate set-out a case study of how the Cleveland force responded to a report of a 15-year-old girl who went missing from a care home for the first time.
The incident was graded as "medium risk" but it took officers more than five hours to respond to the report, "during which time there was little police activity or investigation to find her".
After she returned to the home, the girl told officers over the phone that she had been at a boyfriend's house and the inspectors concluded that: "The force didn't show much professional curiosity. It didn't inquire whether the girl was at risk while she was at the boyfriend's house."
The inspectorate said it found examples of "victim blaming language" in supervisor reviews of three of 12 cases involving child sexual exploitation and missing children it examined.
And the inspectors were also concerned by a small number of instances where supervisors recorded inappropriate comments about missing children, like "child does not understand her behaviour" and "engages in behaviour that is highly risky".
The report said: "This contributed to our view that, too often, the force doesn't consider and respond to risk effectively."
It said: "The force doesn't always understand the links between missing children and child exploitation."
The report found that Cleveland Police does not have enough trained officers and staff to investigate reports of child abuse, neglect and exploitation and, although it has worked hard on training, this "doesn't always result in improving outcomes for children".
The inspection, which took place in June 2024, is part of a wider national initiative by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to understand how well forces safeguard children at risk.
Cleveland Police tell us they have already has worked through, considered and responded to all the findings;
Cleveland Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Richard Baker said: “This report reflects the challenges faced across Teesside due to the high levels of social deprivation. His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary also refers to the force’s staff and officers’ dedication and steadfastness in a demanding environment.
“The force has worked through each section of the report’s findings and is pleased to confirm that many aspects have already seen considerable improvement; much of which can be evidenced by significant performance improvements and outcomes for children.
“Following initial oral feedback from HMICFRS during the inspection in June 2024 an improvement plan was introduced to address some of their concerns.
“The implementation of a broader improvement plan following more detailed written feedback from HMICFRS has resulted in sustained progress including the accurate risk assessment of missing children with enhanced internal scrutiny of our approach.
“Additional, bespoke training has been delivered to key members of the workforce to enhance the identification of vulnerability and cumulative risk, with a particular focus on children. We took immediate action to ensure the ownership of all existing online child sexual exploitation investigations has been allocated to the appropriate department with a process in place to capture any investigations incorrectly allocated.
“The force submitted its National Child Protection Inspection action plan in December 2024 – three months ahead of the statutory requirement – which documented how all areas identified for improvement are being addressed, including updates and outcomes.
“What remains of the utmost importance is that victims, survivors and vulnerable people receive a first-class response every time. I am committed to ensuring the force strives to ensure a high standard of service is provided and the improvements that have already been put in place are sustained and continue to be monitored. The feedback from HMICFRS around areas for improvement is a key part of our continuing progress in our service to victims, survivors and vulnerable people.
“The changes implemented and challenges faced have been supported by stakeholders and I would like to thank and acknowledge the strength of the ongoing relationships with our key partner agencies.
"The protection of children across Teesside will continue to be a key priority for Cleveland Police, and I am determined that, together with our partners, we will keep working hard so those who are most vulnerable receive the service they deserve.”
In response to the recent HMICFRS Child Protection Inspection of Cleveland Police, Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said:
“Both police and partners have a crucial role to play in protecting and safeguarding the most vulnerable people in our communities, especially children, to prevent them being exposed to exploitation and harm.
“The findings from the inspection undertaken in June 2024, show that despite the efforts of officers and staff, Cleveland Police has not always done this adequately. It is concerning that children have potentially been at risk as a result.
“I have received fortnightly briefings from senior police officers and I can confirm that there has been no delay by Cleveland Police in addressing the concerns raised by HMICFRS.
“I recognise that the force has responded promptly and comprehensively to the inspection findings and has already put plans in place to address areas for improvement.
“I will continue to closely monitor progress to ensure children in Cleveland are effectively safeguarded and protected from harm.”