Thursday, July 9, 2026
This activity was undertaken as part of Operation Makesafe, a national initiative designed to empower staff within the hospitality industry to recognise and respond to signs of potential child sexual exploitation and safeguarding concerns.
Officers and youth volunteers conducted 28 test purchase operations across the county. During these, 10 hotels failed to recognise a potential child sexual exploitation incident, while 12 successfully identified and responded appropriately. One hotel not only refused the booking but also promptly reported their concerns to the police. This is the level of safeguarding response expected by the police.
Additionally, 6 hotels were marked as inconclusive as they stated they were full; however, it is not clear if they did have availability, whether they would have accepted the booking.
Detective Inspector, Andy Marston from Lancashire Constabulary, said:
“Hotels can be unwittingly used by offenders to enable their criminality. Lancashire Constabulary is working hard to protect children and young people by detecting and preventing child sexual exploitation through the implementation of Operation Makesafe.
“The key to this work is the power of partnership, and what can be achieved through police, the hotel industry and third sector organisations working together.
“I would like to encourage anyone who notices something that doesn’t quite look right to report it to the police. Your information can be vital, and it may help us to protect a vulnerable child from further harm. Together, we can make communities across Lancashire safer for young people, while making it a hostile environment for those seeking to exploit them.”
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said:
“Child exploitation in any form is completely unacceptable. I remain fully committed to supporting every opportunity to safeguard our children and young people and protect them from harm.
"Prevention and education are vital in tackling this issue, which is why initiatives like Op Makesafe are so important. By giving hotels and accommodation providers access to training and clear guidance on how to report concerns safely and effectively, we are empowering them to recognise the signs of exploitation and take action when it matters most.
"I will continue working closely with Lancashire Constabulary and our partners to strengthen initiatives that protect and safeguard children and young people across Lancashire.”
If you suspect someone is in immediate danger call 999. Any non-urgent matter can be reported to 101 or online via our website: www.lancashire.police.uk
For victim support, you can also contact Nest Lancashire a local, free, and confidential service that supports young people on 0300 111 0323.