POLICE have arrested 11 people across the region including in South Gloucestershire as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation. 

Arrests were also carried out at properties in Bristol, as well as one in Gloucestershire, this morning, Wednesday, April 10.

Ten of those arrested, who are all males aged between 17 and 33, have all been arrested on suspicion of an exploitation related offence. 

The other man has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. 

Officers carrying out the arrests were from Avon and Somerset Police with support from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency.  

Senior Investigating Officer Det Ch Insp Jess Aston said: “Today’s arrests are a significant moment in a serious and complex investigation. 
 
“Although we remain in the early stages, we believe a number of children, aged in their mid to late teens, are victims of sexual exploitation and our priority is to identify and safeguard them, which we’ll do at pace alongside our partner agencies. 
 
“Officers and staff with Topaz, our child sexual exploitation disruption team, as well as our intelligence team, have been instrumental in carrying out the enquiries resulting in us reaching this arrest phase.  
 
“Child sexual exploitation can be a hidden crime, but we will continue to identify and support victims of these offences through a multi-agency response, as well as proactively seek out and disrupt offenders. 
 
“Our Neighbourhood Policing teams will be carrying out engagement and reassurance work with our community stakeholders, and we’d encourage anyone with concerns to contact their local team directly.”