By David Young-
A comprehensive report covering the period from 2004 to 2013 has exposed the deeply concerning failures of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and local authorities in addressing child sexual exploitation (CSE) cases in Rochdale.
The review, commissioned by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, highlights a series of inadequate investigations and apparent indifference by senior police and council officials that left young girls “at the mercy” of paedophile grooming gangs for years.
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Key findings of the report include widespread Organised Sexual Exploitation: The review presents compelling evidence of the widespread organised sexual exploitation of children in Rochdale during the specified period.
A review team said it found ‘compelling evidence’ of ‘widespread organised sexual exploitation’ of children in the town between 2004 and 2012. The report identified ‘at least’ 96 individuals ‘who potentially’ posed a risk to children over the period, but chillingly they are described as being ‘only a proportion’ of those involved in CSE’ across the town.
The report’s authors said they found ‘successive’ police operations ‘failed to tackle the widespread exploitation of children by these men’.
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The damning 173-page review covers 2004 to 2013 and sets out multiple failed investigations by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and apparent local authority indifference to the plight of hundreds of youngsters, mainly white girls from poor backgrounds, all identified as potential victims of abuse in Rochdale by Asian men.
Malcolm Newsam CBE, co-author of the report, said: “Successive police operations were launched over this period, but these were insufficiently resourced to match the scale of the widespread organised exploitation within the area.
“Consequently, children were left at risk and many of their abusers to this day have not been apprehended.”
The report identifies 96 men still deemed a potential risk to children, but this is “only a proportion” of the numbers involved in the abuse.
The report identifies 96 men still deemed a potential risk to children, but this is “only a proportion” of the numbers involved in the abuse.
Three major Greater Manchester Police initiatives were ‘consistently under-resourced in providing the necessary support to victims to disclose their abuse and for them to remain engaged with the investigation’.
Statutory Agencies’ Failures: Statutory agencies, including GMP and Rochdale Council, are criticized for their failure to respond appropriately to the threat of CSE.
Absence of Prioritization (2004-2007): The report reveals that the threat of CSE was not adequately addressed between 2004 and 2007, leaving children at risk.
Serious Failures to Protect Children: In at least 48 cases out of 74, there were serious failures to protect children who were being sexually exploited.
Low Priority and Under-Resourcing: CSE was identified as a low priority and was under-resourced by GMP during the reviewed period.
The report identifies 96 men who are still deemed a potential risk to children, emphasizing that this is only a fraction of the total number involved in the abuse.
It also acknowledges the courageous efforts of whistleblowers, including health worker Sara Rowbotham and former GMP detective Maggie Oliver, who faced criticism from authorities when raising concerns.
In 2007, Rowbotham and her team alerted GMP and Rochdale Council about a gang of men engaged in child sexual exploitation, while Oliver resigned in 2012 to expose the extent of police failings.
Mayor Andy Burnham expressed deep regret for the system’s failure and apologized to the victims, acknowledging that they had been “badly failed.” He commended the whistleblowers for their courage in the face of adversity.
The report’s author, Malcolm Newsam, criticized GMP and Rochdale Council for not prioritizing the protection of exploited children, leaving whistleblowers as “lone voices” for several years.
Chief Constable Stephen Watson asserted that the handling of CSE across Greater Manchester had been overhauled since the early-2000s. However, former detective Maggie Oliver expressed anger that no senior officer or official has been held individually responsible for the failures, lies, and cover-ups.
The report calls for a comprehensive system culture change to ensure the protection of children from abuse, emphasizing the importance of facing the past to instigate meaningful change for the future.
Image: aleteia.org
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