Greater Manchester police have made notable strides in addressing the investigation of child rape grooming gangs. However, there remains a significant backlog, with over 700 victims and 1,000 suspects currently under scrutiny.
A new report from the Inspectors of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) reveals that Greater Manchester police are examining both historic and ongoing cases, identifying 714 victims and 1,099 suspects.
According to HMICFRS, past police actions to investigate child rape showed serious failures. Their current approach reflects significant improvements, stating: “The military approach differs substantially from how child sexual exploitation was handled historically, allowing Manchester police to enhance their understanding and investigation of such cases.”
The inspector emphasized that “there are various training gaps within the investigation team,” stressing the need for investigators to possess the appropriate skills. Manchester police have acknowledged these deficiencies.
Historically, Greater Manchester Police failed to document crimes related to children’s sexual exploitation when initially reported. Between 2003 and 2013, of the 74 victims known to the police, many cases were not thoroughly investigated.
Out of these 74 historic victims, only three received adequate protection from a safeguarding agency, while it was found that there were “48 serious mistakes in protecting children.” Additionally, the report indicated that police and some safeguarding partners often used language that condemned victims rather than offering support.
The report also criticized the Manchester City Council for hindering investigations in previous years. HMICFRS noted: “The materials provided by the Manchester City Council took months to arrive and were poorly compiled, hampering the assessment of their value.” Investigators now have access to unedited documents, which initiates the investigation process.
As part of its efforts to improve responses to child rape gangs, Greater Manchester Police has established a dedicated team focusing on complex cases involving multiple victims, known as the “CSE MIT” (Child Sexual Exploitation Multi-Agency Team), which comprises 98 investigators and police staff.
Currently, 59 “Live Multivictim Multi-attack Child Sexual Exploitation Surveys” are ongoing, identifying 714 victims and 1,099 suspects, with 13 cases being historical and addressed by CSE MIT.
The Greater Manchester area is notorious for issues related to child rape grooming gangs. Surveys and analysis, including findings from Grooming Gang Archives, suggest that nearly every town and district in the area has seen suspicions or evidence of grooming gangs. Notable places include Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, and Manchester itself.
Despite ongoing research into grooming gangs in Greater Manchester, some resistance remains regarding understanding the root causes and ongoing nature of these crimes. Recently, the Bishop of Manchester publicly rejected the notion that many grooming gangs are predominantly associated with specific ethnic backgrounds, stating, “This pattern of abuse is not limited to any particular ethnic, cultural, or religious group. We hope that ongoing research will uncover ways to protect young girls from predatory older men, irrespective of their origins.”
According to Maggie Oliver, a whistleblower from Greater Manchester Police who has played a key role in bringing the grooming gang issue to light, the situation remains serious. She mentioned in February that children continue to be victimized at an alarming rate, stating, “In just the past three days, we’ve encountered 60 victims who were let down by the police.”
Future national investigations into child rape gangs are expected to revisit more than 800 historical cases.
