First-phase locations for grooming gang inquiry announced.
A national inquiry into grooming gangs has announced that investigations will begin in Oldham, Bradford, Keighley and London as part of its first phase.The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, led by Baroness Anne Longfield CBE, will examine how authorities and organisations responded to cases of child sexual abuse. The inquiry has the authority to require people and institutions to provide information and explain their actions.Alongside these initial locations, the inquiry will also look at whether earlier recommendations have been followed in places such as Oxford and Rotherham, where similar cases have already been reviewed.Independent MP Rupert Lowe also commented on the development, calling it progress and acknowledging the efforts of campaigners and survivors.In a post on X, Lowe said he was relieved to see rape gang investigations being held in Oldham, London, Bradford and Keighley, calling it progress and crediting campaigners for their efforts.He added that multiple police investigations were now underway following his inquiry and said further details would be shared when it was safe to do so. He also said work on starting private prosecutions was continuing. Lowe said his team would cooperate with authorities where appropriate to help ensure justice is delivered. He added that while there was still a long way to go, progress was being made.Highlighting the role of survivors, Lowe said they had been campaigning for years and decades and described them as among the bravest people he had met, adding that their efforts had made this happen.
