A GROUNDBREAKING project set up to tackle sexual exploitation of children in Blackburn with Darwen has led to a dramatic increase in the number of people being prosecuted.

Since the Engage team was set up in March 2008, the number of offences investigated has risen from an average of two cases a year to 100.

The team, which is a partnership of police, social services, health groups and children’s charities, specialises in tracking down offenders who groom teenagers for sex, and offers support and protection to the victims and their families.

It was set up after the Lancashire Telegraph’s Keep Them Safe campaign highlighted the problem of girls being groomed for sex by older, often - but not exclusively - Asian men.

The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness of how predatory men were plying young girls with alcohol and drugs and bribing them with gifts in return for sex.

Yesterday the increase in prosecutions since the project was launched was praised as ‘terrific news’ by Blackburn MP and Justice Secretary Jack Straw, while police hailed the team for their ‘exceptional work’.

It comes as the Engage team has been recognised nationally and internationally for its work.

The team was named as one of three of the top entries in the Tilley Awards, a national scheme set up to recognise innovative crime fighting projects and representatives will appear at a major conference in October to share their experience with charities, local authorities and police forces across Britain.

The team has also been selected to tell of their success at an international conference in America.

DCI Martin Kay, of Lancashire police, said: “The work of the team has had a huge impact on the lives and well being of children and their families across Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire.

“This kind of exceptional work shows what can be achieved when working in partnership with other agencies and charities and the fact that more and more people are having the confidence in the police and other agencies to come forward is testament to the dedication and commitment of the team.“ Jack Straw, Blackburn MP and Justice Secretary, said: "This is terrific news.

"It will provide parents and vulnerable people with great reassurance.

"My congratulations go to the police and everyone else involved."

The team was set up in March 2008 and since over 180 potentially vulnerable children have been referred to Engage.

Before it was set up only two people were charged with six offences between them in the three years from 2005 to 2007.

In the year since its launch 37 people have been charged with more than 100 offences of sexual explotation.

Freya, 14, who is unable to give her full name, is one of the young girls the Engage team has been working with.

Speaking of her experience, she said: “I was frightened, but felt trapped in the situation.

"The men made me feel like I was ‘damaged goods’ and no-one else would want me.

“But now I’m getting help from the Engage team and I’m starting to realise that none of this is my fault and my life doesn’t have to be this way.”

Organisations such as Brook, Lifeline, Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust and Barnardo’s also make up a large part of the team.

Laurence Loft, chairman of the Local Safeguarding Children Board, said: “Sexual exploitation is a worldwide problem and I hope that what has been achieved here in Blackburn with Darwen will inspire others to set up similar projects to address the issue.” The Engage team will soon be moving into a new base when the Boulevard Pub, next to Blackburn railway station, undergoes a £1.1million revamp.

Other organisations to be based at the new centre include the police, NHS, sexual health experts the Brook Advisory Service, and Barnardos.

Sgt Mark Whelan, from the Engage team, said: “We have done a lot of good work to raise awareness of sexual exploitation and as a result we are receiving almost four referrals each week.

“By pooling the skills from a number of different organisations we are seeing a growing number of prosecutions at court and are successfully helping to protect children from being sexually exploited.”