Man arrested trying to check into downtown hotel with schoolgirl

A man was arrested this morning as he tried to check into a Liverpool city centre hotel with a 13-year-old girl.

Police attended the hotel in the early hours of this morning, July 1, after raising suspicions that the man had allegedly tried to book a room at another hotel earlier that morning, but staff refused to let him in after failing to verify his details.

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Police found the suspect and the girl at the second hotel and arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman. He was taken to Merseyside Police Station where he remains in custody.

A crime scene is in place at the hotel as police continue their investigations.

Detective Inspector Stephen Croasdale of Merseyside Police said: “Merseyside Police is working with local hotels to prevent criminal and sexual exploitation in Liverpool.

“The hospitality sector is highly exposed to forced crime and sexual exploitation. Thanks to targeted training, hospitality staff now have a better understanding of what exploitation is and the consequences. Being able to spot the signs and take action to help those at risk is essential to protecting vulnerable people.

“I hope this arrest will encourage staff to remain vigilant and report any sexual offences to us, and that they will have confidence in us as a police force to take reports seriously and continue to take action as necessary.

“Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone is engaging in this criminal activity should come forward and speak to us.

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will handle your reports with expertise and compassion, and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”

If you are a child or young person who has been sexually or physically abused, the following organisations can also provide help and support:

NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].

Childline – call 0800 1111

If you have been a victim of sexual violence of any kind, don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.

You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offenses anonymously here.

There are many forms of support available from specialist officers at Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service, provided jointly by two registered charities.

In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside which can be contacted on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside which can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.

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