Daily roundup 18 March: CSE in Birmingham, pram ban, and legal highs

Around 500 children have been identified as victims of sexual exploitation in Birmingham and the West Midlands in just six months. The Birmingham Mail reports that the figure, from a study by former Home Office CSE expert Stephen Rimmer, is more than double the previously estimated amount.


A group of mums have stopped using a Sure Start centre in Darlington after the local council banned prams for health and safety reasons. The Mirror reports the decision to ban prams was taken following a risk assessment. The Health and Safety Executive has said there is no reason for the ban and Darlington Council chiefs have pledged to open talks.


So-called "legal highs" are being used in increasing quantities by children in Wales, an inquiry being held by the Welsh Assembly has heard. The BBC reports that assembly members were told children as young as 11 have tried the drug in parts of the country.


The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne will unveil a brand new design of the £1 coin today, which was designed by a 15-year-old pupil in Walsall. David Pearce, of Queen Mary’s Grammar School won with his design, which beat more than 6,000 entries, the government reports. Pearce said: “I honestly cannot believe I have won.”


A campaign has been launched in Buckinghamshire in a bid to prevent young people from going to Syria. The counter terrorism campaign, launched by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit, a part of the National Police Counter Terrorism Network, is targeting mother and daughter relationships, the Bucks Free Press reports.


A youth counselling project in Doncaster has received more than £436,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. The funding will allow Open Minds Counselling to continue providing support for children and young people to cope better with traumatic experiences, helping them to manage their daily lives better. According to the Sheffield Star, group therapy for hate crime and bullying victims will also be made available through an expansion which will see the counselling project team up with Doncaster Pride.