Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has welcomed GMP's apology to three victims of grooming gangs in Rochdale.
GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson met the women on Tuesday afternoon (April 12) and apologised for police failings in their cases. The three victims also received 'substantial' payouts from the force. In a statement Mr Burnham said the move 'marks a clear break with the past behaviour of GMP'.
He said: "Within days of being elected as Mayor of Greater Manchester I commissioned an independent assurance review into historic child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester, prompted by The Betrayed Girls documentary and the serious issues raised by (GMP whistleblower) Maggie Oliver. The first phase of the review reported in January 2020 and, whilst the review into other areas, including Rochdale, is on-going it is right that action is taken when possible.
