A SCHEME enabling organisations to protect youngsters from abuse was launched yesterday.

As part of the Child Safe initiative, groups will have access to packs informing them of a policy to protect the young people in their care.

Backed by Durham Police, Durham Agency Against Crime, Cleveland Police and Safe in Teesside, the scheme will be open to staff and volunteers throughout the region.

PC Andrea Preston, who helped launch it at the Riverside Stadium, in Middlesbrough, said: "The aim of the Child Safe pack is to raise general awareness of child abuse and provide parents and organisers with simple guidelines on how to spot abuse and deal sensibly and sensitively with it.

"Most people who look after our children are safe, but sadly, some adults are very skilled at making friends with children with the intention of harming them."

Information in the pack, which has been compiled by child protection experts, relates to the four main categories of child abuse - sexual, physical, emotional and neglect.