Up to 44 young people in Barnsley are monitored because they are thought to be at risk of child sexual exploitation, the Chronicle has learned.
It was revealed as part of a child sexual exploitation strategy put together by the Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board, which is responsible for keeping the borough's children safe.
Part of the strategy, which focuses on prevention, protection and prosecution, states there are 44 young people at risk of being sexually exploited.
Those young people are being monitored by the Child Sexual Exploitation and Runaways Forum which meets regularly to discuss cases and is made up of key groups such as social care, police and health teams.
Between April 2012 to March 2013 the forum monitored 36 young people, and at present the strategy says there are 44 being monitored because they are regarded as being at a significant level of risk.
Chairman of the safeguarding board, Bob Dyson, said the strategy and accompanying action plan were essential to combat the 'horrendous crime'.
Former police deputy chief constable Bob said it is one of the most important challenges facing the board, which recognises the serious long term and lasting impact it can have on children, young people and their families.
Bob, who took up the post on the safeguarding board in January, said technology and the internet had played a significant part in the methods being adopted by offenders to carry out child sexual exploitation offences.
"There will always have been people who exploited young people, and in some cases for sexual reasons, so the idea of older people taking advantage of younger people has always been around," said Bob.
"During my policing career there has always been predatory people looking to take advantage of young people.
"What's changed over time is how you commit that offence and the way social media and technology are used.
"The internet is a great thing but brings information to your fingertips and brings new types of offending and child sexual exploitation has found its way into that.
"Another thing we have see is high profile cases with an organised element, with people working together, and not just lone offenders.
"What we have called for with the strategy is to show that the Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board takes child sexual exploitation seriously."
