Concerns over vaping for child sex in Watford

Police have raised concerns that children may be exploited by adults who offer them vapes in exchange for sex acts.

Officers from Hertfordshire Police visited six properties in Watford last week following concerns that shops may be selling vapes to underage children.

They said: “Recent information also suggests that children may be sexually exploited in exchange for vapes, which they cannot legally purchase themselves.”

During the operation, 800 illegal vapes were seized from two properties and “officers took the opportunity to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE), how to spot the signs and how to report it”.

Sergeant Dan Piper of the force’s Halo team; said: “Our team specifically investigates the sexual exploitation of children.

“As part of our investigation, we learned that children can be exploited in exchange for vape. While an adult can purchase the vape, they can then give it to a child in exchange for sexual acts.”

He said officers spoke to retailers in the city “to highlight the signs of CSE and handed out leaflets to raise awareness”.

Signs to look out for include adults befriending young people and buying things for them, noticing adults visiting venues with different young people, younger individuals hanging out at venues and interacting with older people, and younger people who’ hanging out late at night or at times when they should. at school or university for example,” he said.

“We have also reminded retailers that vapes should only be sold to people aged 18 and over. Selling these products to anyone under the age limit is considered a criminal offence.”