Swindon Council is set to adopt a new strategy to combat child sexual exploitation as well as formally introducing a zero-tolerance pledge.

The policy has been created to combat what is being described as one of the most serious issues facing local authorities.

Figures show that in the last three years, social services identified 70 young people that were of possible or probable concern, with 25 either at high or medium risk.

Work to raise awareness among council officers has been on-going for many years but in recent years there has been in an increase in awareness due to a number of high profile cases in the media.

The new three-year strategy will go before cabinet tonight and be presented to full council.

It will encourage all 57 members to take online training on the subject and then speak to five others. Fionuala Foley, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, (Con, Chiseldon and Lawn), said: “This is all about raising awareness of the issue.

“It is not something which happens in Rotherham or elsewhere but can happen anywhere, including Swindon. These figures demonstrate that.

“This strategy though is a way by which we can raise more awareness.

“This week we have had the play Chelsea’s Choice being shown across Swindon to Year 8 students which discusses this very issue.”

An Ofsted inspection in March 2014 identified that the council had a ‘robust’ approach to child sexual exploitation that was well embedded.

But it said that had not translated into consistently high quality and timely practice by staff working in children’s services.

The new strategy will involve maintaining good strategic leadership and engaging the community.

Coun Foley said: “This is not just my problem or your problem but all of our problems.

“We need to be making everyone aware of how to protect our young people.

“This is about all working together to tackle the problem. Wiltshire Council, the police and many agencies are involved.

“A lot of people think this only involves children in care but that is certainly not the case at all.

“The perpetrators of this crime are manipulative and target vulnerable and lonely children. We all need to be aware of the signs to prevent this from happening.”