‘Telford model’ is more effective for child abuse inquiries, says former chair

A three-year independent inquiry into the scale of CSE in Telford concluded in 2022 that hundreds of children were sexually exploited over decades. Photograph: eranicle/Getty/iStockphoto

Public inquiries are seen as the “Rolls-Royce solution” to tackling the grooming gangs scandal but local reviews are more effective, the former chair of the Telford child sexual exploitation (CSE) inquiry has said.

Tom Crowther KC said the “Telford model” led to real progress in the Shropshire town and could be used in towns across the country looking into similar CSE scandals.