The Prime Minister visited Rochdale today to launch a new 'grooming gangs' taskforce he said would 'make a big difference' to tackling child abuse.
The shadow of child sexual exploitation has long hung over the town since nine men were convicted and jailed in 2012 for a catalogue of serious sex offences against vulnerable victims in Rochdale and Heywood. Shabir Ahmed, who was known as 'Daddy' in the gang, is still serving a 22-year jail term for rape.
A trial heard that girls as young as 12 were plied with alcohol and drugs and raped in rooms above takeaway shops, and ferried to different flats in taxis where cash was paid to use them.
Former detective Maggie Oliver resigned from Greater Manchester Police in 2012 to turn whistle-blower over the force's failings in their cases. Police went on to admit the girls had been 'let down' and 'substantial' pay-outs were made as GMP issued a public apology.
Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman met with senior police officers, including GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson, council leaders and others working on child sexual exploitation at a hotel in Rochdale on Monday. The Prime Minister said he 'won't rest' until the Government makes sure children can grow up safe from abuse.
Asked why the Government had not addressed the issue of grooming gangs sooner, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: "What happened to vulnerable girls here in Rochdale, but in Rotherham and Telford as well at the hands of grooming gangs was simply appalling.
"Last year I said that if I became prime minister I wanted to take decisive action to stamp out this evil and that is what we are announcing today, a new expert police-led taskforce, tougher sentencing, and a new legal duty on those working with children to report abuse.
"I won't rest until we make sure that our children can grow up in an environment that is safe and secure."
Mr Sunak told the meeting the new initiatives would help 'stamp out this evil'. The PM said: "What's happened and is sadly still happening to too many of our young girls, in particular vulnerable girls across communities, is unacceptable. I know you all share my ambition and desire to root it out."
He said Government does not know how many sex abusers operate in grooming gangs because 'it's not being reported' and conceded exploitation was happening in communities across the country, saying 'we need to a better job'.
"Sadly as we know from the independent reports that have been concluded, this is happening in communities up and down our country… that's why we need to do a better job," he said.
"And we don't know the numbers because i'’s not being reported and that's part of why what we're putting in place today is to make it easier for people to come forward… making it easier for whistleblowers to come forward and report these awful crimes because too often in the past they didn’t because they feared what would happen to them, they feared they wouldn’t be taken seriously, they feared of offending people. That's all wrong."
The PM earlier pledged 'political correctness' would not get in the way of a crackdown, as ministers promised tougher sentences and new support for local forces to protect children from abuse. Ethnicity data will also be used to support police investigations. Part of the plan will see specialist officers assist local police forces to solve child sexual exploitation investigations as part of the new grooming gangs taskforce.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman on Sunday singled out British Pakistani men over concerns about grooming gangs as she accused authorities of turning a 'blind eye' to signs of abuse over fears of being labelled 'racist' or 'bigoted'.
Asked if the focus on British-Asian grooming gangs was appropriate, Mr Sunak said: "All forms of child sexual exploitation carried out by whomever are horrific and wrong, but with the specific issue of grooming gangs we have had several independent inquiries look at the incidents here in Rochdale, but in Rotherham and Telford.
"What is clear is that when victims and other whistle-blowers came forward their complaints were often ignored by social workers, local politicians, or even the police. The reason they were ignored was due to cultural sensitivity and political correctness. That is not right."
The Prime Minister added: "These crimes are horrific and that is why the actions we are announcing today are right and they have been welcomed by people, and I have been speaking to survivors today and others involved. They will make a big difference in helping us root out the evil perpetrated by grooming gangs."
Mr Sunak was asked whether he accepted the Government had been 'slow to act' on tackling the issue.
He told broadcasters: "We're responding to the recommendation of an independent inquiry to introduce a legal duty on those working with children to report abuse.
"Now, it's important that we get that right and we will work with all the agencies involved to make sure we implement that in a way that is practical and effective but it is right that we respond to the independent inquiry's recommendation and I’m pleased that we’re putting that in place today."
The PM and Home Secretary then moved on to a private meeting with survivors of child sexual exploitation and campaigners who have helped them.
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