Shock Test Finds 10 Out of 12 Kent Hotels Let Teens Book Rooms – Police Warn of Child Exploitation Risks

Shock Test Reveals Most Hotels Let Teens Book Rooms

Kent Police cadets went undercover to see if local hotels and B&Bs would rent rooms to underage guests. The results? Alarming.

Only Two Out of 12 Venues Said No

On June 22-23, two Kent Police Cadets aged just 14 and 15 posed as potential guests and visited 12 hotels and B&Bs. Only two businesses refused to rent rooms to the teenagers.

Protecting Young People Is Everyone’s Responsibility

“The action was not about calling-out businesses but ensuring they understand that we all have a responsibility to safeguard young people,” said Police Community Support Officer Mark Ball. “Those challenging room requests from underaged children could be preventing them from coming to serious harm.”

PCSO Ball praised one venue that not only refused the room but also started to call the police, worried about the teens’ safety.

Failing Hotels Warned of Serious Risks

Venues that sold rooms to the underage cadets received advice on their legal duties and were warned about the dangers of child exploitation, trafficking, and county line gangs lurking nearby.