A joint campaign to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation has launched.

Surrey Police, Surrey County Council and Surrey Crimestoppers want to educate young people and the wider public on the warning signs of exploitation.

Child sexual exploitation is a type of abuse in which children or young people under 18 receive something such as food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, money and gifts in return for sexual activity.

Surrey Police will be on television and cinema screens promoting an advert which puts pressure on potential offenders with the message "child sexual exploitation is a crime. We're coming for those who prey on children".

The council has also funded a theatre production to be shown to students in years eight and nine in Surrey schools. The play is designed to help spot the signs of sexual exploitation and how to protect young people from this kind of abuse.

Head of public protection for Surrey Police, Detective Superintendent Chris Raymer, said: "Child sexual exploitation is perpetrated against young boys and girls irrespective of background. What makes it so difficult to tackle is the fact that many young people who are being abused believe they are in a consensual relationship and do not recognise the true nature of their abusers, who exploit their naivety."

Ian Chandler, volunteer deputy chairman at Surrey Crimestoppers, said: "We hope that this campaign will encourage anyone with information, to report it using our completely anonymous and independent phone line or online reporting form.

"Child sexual exploitation is something that many will not have thought about of even heard of. Very often offences go unreported and the perpetrators carry on offending for many years. These offences have a serious lasting impact on the lives of victims, which are taken seriously by the police and partners."