Nine potential child exploitation cases in Reading investigated
Police are investigating nine potential cases of child sexual exploitation in Reading.
The children cannot be identified for legal reasons but a number of Reading primary schools have been alerted by Thames Valley Police.
Supt Robin Rickard, leading the investigation, said the cases were "not believed to be gang-related".
He urged people to contact police if they had concerns about a child who may be being exploited.
He said: "Signs can include the child receiving unexplained gifts or money, being secretive on social media or suddenly hanging out with older friends."
In June 2012 Thames Valley Police allocated £500,000 to investigate child exploitation in the region over an 18-month period.