A NEW strategy for tackling the problem of children being groomed for sex is set to be drawn up following a high-powered conference.

Nearly 200 delegates from organisations including Lancashire Police, Blackburn with Darwen Council and the Blackburn branch young people's advisory group, Brook, took part in the event.

The conference, at Haydock Park, Newton-le-Willows, was partly prompted by the Lancashire Telegraph's Keep Them Safe Campaign, which is aimed at tackling the growing number of men, predominantly Asian, targeting young girls for sex.

It was organised by Oldham Council and Government Office North West and attracted delegates from across the UK.

A number of talks and presentations were held by organisations to higlight the work they had done to tackle the problem.

It is hoped by sharing their knowledge different bodies will forge stronger links and work together.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and officers from Lancashire Police's Opertion Engage, which aims to stop child sex exploitation and is based in Blackburn, were among those who gave presentations.

Peter Morgan, director of child services at Blackburn With Darwen Council, said council bosses would now look what improvements could be made to the authority's policy.

He said: "We looked at issues regarding children, in particular that of sexual exploitation, either through street grooming or cyber grooming.

"Children are being abused so it is our role to look at how we protect children and also what mecanisims are in place to protect those who are abused.

"It was a positive day and there is a lot of good things to take out of it."

Julie Wareing, is chief executive of Brook, Blackburn, which advises more than 1,100 young people every month.

She said child sex victims receive counselling and take part in a number of activities such as dance and drama classes to raise their self-esteem as well as receving medical and other advice such as how to find a house.

Mrs Wareing said: "The girls who are referred to us have low self-esteem and the age range is very varied, as is the length of treatment they require.

"What we have got be aware of is not just the protection side but we have to start working with young people about not giving into peer pressure."

The Lancashire Telegraph launched its Keep Them Safe campaign after our investigation revealed that up to 100 girls between 12 and 16 in East Lancashire had been targeted by gangs of older predatory men in one year.

The girls, who repeatedly went missing from home or care, were showered with gifts and attention and given drink and drugs before being forced to perform sex acts in return sometimes with more than 10 men a night.

Operation Engage is a joint intiative between the police and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

In August, two men were jailed after being targeted through Operation Engage.

Zulfar Hussain, 46, from Blackburn, and Qaiser Naveed, 32, from Burnley, were both jailed for five years and eight months earlier this year for "exploiting" vulnerable under 16s.