Grooming Gangs National Inquiry; an update on West Yorkshire

The issue of grooming gangs has been very much in the news throughout 2025 following an audit by Baroness Casey in early 2025 and the government decision in June 2025 to have a full national inquiry and 5 government back local inquiries into grooming gangs. 

It also remains in the news in part due to the ongoing reporting of criminal convictions against grooming gang abusers in various areas of the country. On Friday, my colleague Chris Thomson commented on the convictions and sentences of seven men in relation to the abuse by grooming gangs in Rochdale.

On the same day, seven more men were convicted in Bradford Crown Court of multiple counts of rape and other sexual offences. They were sentenced to a total of 91 years imprisonment. 

In West Yorkshire multiple areas have been affected by grooming gangs including Bradford, Calderdale, Huddersfield, Keighley, Kirklees, Leeds, Skipton and Wakefield.  

It has been suggested by some that the level of grooming gangs abuse in Bradford could be significantly higher than in the other areas of the country and that therefore Bradford should be considered for its own inquiry or a joint inquiry with Keighley. 

However Alison Lowe, the Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire for Policing and Crime, has rejected that and has now called for the inquiry into child sex exploitation by grooming gangs to look at the West Yorkshire region as a whole.   

She confirmed that for example Kirklees had twice as many convictions for child sexual exploitation compared to Bradford although it is reported by the BBC that she also conceded that there were 50 trials still pending. 

She was reported as stating "But I can't look survivors in the eye and say, 'we're not going to give you justice in Kirklees or Calderdale', or even in Leeds and Wakefield, although the numbers are much smaller there," she said.

"I want to represent the whole of West Yorkshire.

"I want to validate all survivors in West Yorkshire. I want them all to have a voice and I want them all to feel they have had their day in court."

At Jordans Solicitors, we welcome an inquiry dealing with West Yorkshire as a whole but they key issue here is that real action is required. A chairperson has still not been appointed to head the national enquiry. Many survivors of child sex exploitation by grooming gangs have already shared their experiences.    

We also continue to urge the government to implement all the recommendations of IICSA including a national redress scheme and reforming the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority scheme.

Jordans Solicitors

We act for clients who have suffered sexual abuse by grooming gangs as children and those who have suffered abuse whilst a resident in a children’s home and under the care of the local authority. We have successfully pursued claims against the local authority for failing to keep our client’s safe and for allowing them to be exploited by grooming gangs. 

We fully understand how difficult it can be for you to talk about the abuse you suffered during your childhood. That’s why our specially trained child abuse solicitors work closely alongside psychologists and barristers to support you both emotionally and legally. Compensation is a small step towards taking control of your life and getting the justice you deserve. If you want to discuss the options that are open to you, please contact our specialist Abuse Team.