A police campaign to end child sexual abuse has won the backing of a regional daily.

The Leicester Mercury has lent its support to the ‘Cease’ campaign, short for Commitment to Eradicate Abuse and Sexual Exploitation.

The appeal, launched by Leicestershire Police, aims to get at least 100,000 people to sign an online pledge to do all in their power to identify and protect young people at risk.

Parents, teachers, sports coaches, faith leaders and ordinary members of the public are also being asked to learn how to spot the signs that a child they know is being sexually groomed as part of the bid.

It forms part of a wider £2m initiative by Leicestershire police and crime commissioner Sir Clive Loader to protect the vulnerable across the county.

Mercury editor Kevin Booth was one of the first to sign the pledge.

He said: “It’s my belief that as a society we should so all we can to protect our most vulnerable.”

Sir Clive added: “Child sexual exploitation remains a very live, serious and ongoing threat and that’s why I have made more money available to be spent tackling this appalling crime.”