IT IS a great shame that The Northern Echo chose to present a report on a key aspect of child protection ("Town's shame over child sexploitation", (Echo, Oct 5) in such a lurid and inaccurate fashion.

Middlesbrough is very proud of the way it looks after every aspect of child welfare, including its approach to the sexual exploitation of young people. As everyone knows, this is not a local or even national problem, but a global one. We have reduced the number of children at risk of exploitation by more than half in recent years and are always happy to share our experiences with others.

Unlike your article, the Barnardo's study looked at all aspects of the issue of children running away from care, which again is not a problem confined to Middlesbrough. We welcome it as an important contribution to the debate on child welfare and safety.

It is our job to ensure that children who are looked after get the support, safety and encouragement they need to build themselves a life.

They are not helped by stereotyping and sensationalist reporting of a complex issue.

Councillor Brenda Thompson, Executive Member for Children, Families and Learning, Middlesbrough Council.