The Grooming Gang Inquiry announces first locations for investigation
The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs has announced that it will examine national responses to the grooming gang scandal and then move on to local investigations. The first places which will be investigated are Oldham, Bradford & Keighley and London.
The National investigation will compel individuals and institutions to explain what they “did or did not do to protect children from being sexually abused”. The first set of national accountability hearings will focus on government documents, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, councils and the NHS, considering whether enough was done to protect vulnerable children and support survivors. It is expected that these hearings will take place before the end of the year and will be revisited in two years’ time so that progress can be assessed.
Baroness Lonfield, the Chair of the Inquiry has said that she hoped that “no further inquiries into grooming gangs will ever be needed. These hearings will help us to establish what national institutions and services should have been doing to implement these findings and to protect children from abuse and harm and what if any, progress has been made in area where investigations have taken place.”
Oldham was first selected as a local area for investigation by the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last year. Survivors in Oldham felt that the local review in 2022 was too limited. Concerns have also been raised by survivors in Bradford for many years. It is expected that the inquiry in London would provide a “different context because of its scale and complexity as it has multiple boroughs and overlapping systems”
The announcement is a significant step in the work of the Inquiry. It demonstrates a commitment to understand what happened, why opportunities to protect vulnerable children were missed and ensuring that in the future children will be protected.
For the Inquiry to provide a meaningful outcome it must ensure that survivors’ voices are heard and institutions are held accountable for their past failings.
Jordans Solicitors - How we can help
Jordans Solicitors are acting on behalf of vulnerable children and young adults whom it is alleged were sexually abused in a number of different types of institutions. We 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.
If you have been affected by anything in this article and would like to speak to one of our team members in confidence, then please do not hesitate to contact us. Our highly skilled abuse team will advise you on the available options for pursuing a civil damages claim.
Please contact the abuse team on If you want to discuss the options that are open to you, please contact our specialist Abuse Team at Jordans Solicitors on 08009555094 or 03303001103 or request a call back.