The independent inquiry on Grooming Gangs has revealed the initial regions selected for targeted local investigations. Oldham, Bradford, Keighley, and London are set to undergo scrutiny by the Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, with additional areas to be confirmed shortly.
With a budget of £65 million, the probe aims to delve into the operations of grooming gangs and evaluate the responses of law enforcement, local authorities, healthcare services, social care services, and schools. It will also assess whether regions like Telford, Rochdale, Oxford, and Rotherham have implemented the recommended changes following previous reviews on grooming gangs.
Oldham was identified as a focal point for investigation last year, while concerns have persisted in Bradford and Keighley over the years, voiced by victims, survivors, advocates, elected officials, and others. These concerns will now be directly addressed by the Inquiry.
In London, the Inquiry will analyze the identification and response to group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse by grooming gangs, including connections with neighboring areas. It will consider ongoing initiatives, including those by the London Assembly.
Alongside these revelations, the Inquiry is releasing its Victims and Survivors Charter, outlining the support mechanisms for individuals to share their experiences with the Inquiry and influence its proceedings.
Any criminal evidence uncovered will be handed over to Operation Beaconport, the national police operation initiated last year to review previously closed cases. Baroness Anne Longfield, former children’s commissioner for England, leads the inquiry, equipped with legal powers to compel witnesses to testify and organizations to disclose documents.
Baroness Longfield stated, “The Inquiry aims to investigate the reasons behind the systemic failure of the state in addressing and preventing abuse, to understand the failures towards victims and survivors, and to hold accountable those responsible, both institutions and individuals.”
She added, “Our National Accountability Hearings will commence before year-end. With numerous past inquiries and reviews on grooming gangs and Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, yielding over 800 recommendations, many of which remain unimplemented, these hearings will shed light on the necessary actions by national institutions and services to safeguard children and assess progress in areas under investigation.”
“We are committed to ensuring that our efforts lead to the prevention of future inquiries into grooming gangs.”
