The spotlight is about to shine brightly on London, Oldham, Bradford, and Keighley as an independent inquiry into grooming gangs launches its investigation into the towns and cities where child sexual exploitation has been most prevalent. Chaired by Anne Longfield, this timely and critical inquiry will leave no stone unturned in uncovering the reasons behind the shocking scale of abuse, and scrutinising those responsible for failing to protect vulnerable children.
The three-part hearings will put under the microscope Whitehall departments, local councils, the NHS, and national police institutions, examining their handling of child protection cases and implementation of recommendations dating back to the 1990s. With over 800 recommendations identified, the inquiry's findings are expected to expose significant inconsistencies in how authorities have addressed this critical issue.
Louise Casey's rapid audit on gang-based exploitation highlighted the urgent need for action, prompting the government to accept her recommendations and establish a national police operation and inquiry. This marked a crucial turning point in tackling child sexual exploitation, but concerns remain about the effectiveness of subsequent policies and practices. The inquiry will now investigate the role of technology in facilitating grooming gangs' activities, including the involvement of tech companies.