The number of children deemed to be at risk of sexual exploitation has risen during the past year and could continue to climb.

Enfield’s Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) identified 136 youngsters who could be at risk of sexual exploitation during the past year – up from 112 in 2016-17.

Most of the cases flagged up by the safeguarding team live in areas where gangs operate – but very few are thought to have links to gangs.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting yesterday (Wednesday, December 12), Geraldine Gavin, the independent chair of the ESCB, said the increase was likely due to greater awareness of sexual exploitation.

She said: “I would say it is a combination of growing awareness and seeking out issues that hitherto have probably not come to our notice.

“2014 was a big year, when child sexual exploitation (CSE) hit the headlines. Since then, we have done more and more work.

“The type of exploitation that is found in most London boroughs, including Enfield potentially, is-peer-on peer between young people together.

“It is a little bit different to some of the larger, national cases, such as Rotherham.”

Cllr George Savva, Labour member for Haselbury, asked if the figure could be higher next year as the council continues to work with partner agencies to tackle the issue.

Ms Gavin said: “Potentially. I think it is a very uncomfortable subject. To expose it is a very uncomfortable reality, but it is now exposed, and we are trying as hard as we can to highlight it and look for prevention.”

She added that there was a lot of work going on in schools to tackle CSE, including the staging of a play called Chelsea’s Choice designed to raise awareness of the issue among youngsters.

The ESCB has also been working with schools to prevent radicalisation and tackle issues such as gang violence and female genital mutilation.

As of next year, the board will be replaced by a multi-agency safeguarding panel bringing together the council, the Metropolitan Police and Enfield Clinical Commissioning Health Group.

Cllr Achilleas Georgiou, cabinet member for children’s services, said the work that had already been accomplished meant the council was well placed to make the transition to the new arrangements.

He said: “We really are in a good position going forward. The report highlights the good position we are in in Enfield as a local authority and the partnership arrangements we have with other bodies.”

The council will continue to work on prevention and early intervention strategies and is keen to foster a healthy workforce within the safeguarding team.

Cllr Georgiou said the extra £1 million per year pledged for children’s services at a cabinet meeting in November would help to achieve these goals.