Undercover operation targets safeguarding at Torquay hotels
An undercover policing operation conducted in Torquay has raised serious concerns about safeguarding practices at local accommodation providers. Officers from the Torquay Neighbourhood Police Team, supported by Police Cadets, conducted checks at a sample of hotels to assess how well staff verify the ages of guests and respond to potential risks involving underage individuals.
The findings: seven of eight hotels non-compliant
During the covert exercise, investigators visited eight hotels to observe front-desk procedures and the hotel’s stated policy toward guests who may be underage or accompanied by an adult who could be attempting to facilitate exploitation. Alarmingly, seven of the eight establishments questioned an adult guest accompanying an underage child and failed to take what authorities describe as appropriate safeguarding steps. In contrast, one hotel demonstrated a more robust approach by asking clarifying questions and verifying the guest’s intent and the information provided.
What the checks looked for
The operation focused on key safeguarding practices, including:
- Proper verification of ages and the legality of staying with a minor
- Clear reporting routes to the police or safeguarding leads if concerns arose
- Staff training on indicators of potential exploitation
- Record-keeping that supports appropriate risk assessment
These elements are essential in making sure that vulnerable youths are protected and that criminal activity is identified and stopped at the earliest stage.
Police commentary and ongoing work
Police spokespeople emphasised that the operation is part of a broader safeguarding strategy rather than a single punitive action. A spokesperson noted that the aim is to push all local hospitality providers toward higher standards of vigilance, with a particular emphasis on training staff to recognise suspicious behaviour and to escalate concerns promptly to appropriate authorities.
What hotels can learn from this exercise
Experts suggest several practical steps hotels can implement to strengthen safeguarding, including:
- Regular, mandatory safeguarding training for all front-line staff, including reception and night-shift teams
- Clear, visible policies on ages, stay requirements, and how to handle guests with minors
- Simple, confidential channels for staff to report concerns to management and local authorities
- Record-keeping that documents the actions taken when a safeguarding concern is raised
Local authorities remind hotel operators that safeguarding is not only about preventing exploitation but also about creating safe environments for visitors and residents alike.
The broader context: safeguarding in hospitality
Guest safety is an ongoing concern across the hospitality sector. This operation aligns with national and regional strategies to protect children from exploitation and to ensure that venues where families and travelers stay are proactive guardians of well-being. Stakeholders hope that the findings will catalyse lasting improvements rather than serve as a one-off warning.
Next steps and how the community can help
Authorities have indicated that follow-up work will include feedback sessions with the hotels involved, further training opportunities, and the potential for revisited checks to measure progress. Members of the public are encouraged to report any concerns about safeguarding around accommodation providers through the appropriate police channels or local safeguarding boards.
Conclusion
The Torquay operation underscores the critical role of safeguarding in everyday hospitality. While the results are concerning, they also present a clear pathway for improvement, with the most responsible hotels already showing how effective age verification and safeguarding practices can be implemented. The police stress that safeguarding is a community concern, and ongoing collaboration with hoteliers, staff, and residents will be essential to protecting vulnerable youths and maintaining safe, welcoming towns.
