CHILD sexual exploitation is being tackled by bobbies on the tweet.

Police tweeted from their patrol as they scoured the streets of Bolton visiting perpetrators and victims, using social media to step up their efforts in raising awareness of child grooming among parents.

Setting out at about 4pm, the officers patrolled throughout the evening across Bolton.

They also visited public areas where young people are known to congregate in the evenings, such as social clubs and parks.

These are places that groomers will visit to try to engage potential victims in conversation and befriend them.

Det Insp Charlotte Cadden, of Bolton north neighbourhood policing team, said: "It is just something new we did to try to connect with as many parents and young people as possible.

"There are two messages we are keen to push.

"Parents need to be more informed of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and of how to deal with it.

"More awareness could also see more young people realise that they have been groomed, whether they are in relationships or being taken to parties that they are uncomfortable with.

"It has been a very successful week and we have got a lot of the right messages out."

The officers were briefed at about 4pm and swiftly started tweeting their activities.

The first job of the evening took police to Horwich, where they visited some known child groomers.

They posted pictures throughout the night, and also a sheet for parents to read which listed known abbreviations teenagers use in text messages and on social media, which include CD9 (Code 9 - parents near me) and TDTM (talk dirty to me).

Their evening took them to three victims and a hotspot in Westhoughton, as well as four addresses of known offenders, including one in Great Lever.

Bolton north's final tweet at about 9pm said: "We have just conducted our final visit to an individual involved in CSE. It's been a busy and successful evening. #BLCSEPatrol."

The Bolton News reported on Wednesday how a Horwich mum was coming to terms with the revelations that her 15-year-old daughter had been raped and sexually abused by two different men.

Her daughter has been left so scarred by her experiences that she recently took a knife with her to the shops for protection.