Authorities fail to protect children from sexual exploitation in Rochdale

A major review into child sexual exploitation in Rochdale has been published, finding that several local authorities failed to act in time to prevent the abuse.

The independent assurance review, commissioned by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, found that from 2008 to 2010, there was widespread organised sexual exploitation of children across Rochdale, and that services such as the police and Rochdale Council did not respond to the reports in an appropriate manner.

This the third report which focused on children's sexual exploitation, with two previous reviews looking into how Greater Manchester Police had missed vital evidence that could have prevented the abusers from continuing.

Nine men were involved in the Rochdale grooming scandal, abusing girls as young as 13 over a two-year period. They were convicted as part of Operation Span in 2012, collectively being sentenced to 77 years in prison.

During the course of the report, accounts covered and allegations made in the BBC's documentary 'Betrayed Girls' about exploitation in Greater Manchester - were looked into.

As well as this, both claims made by Maggie Oliver and Sarah Rowbotham, who became whistle-blowers at the lack of action being taken by officers were also considered.

Covering the period between 2004 and 2013, it was revealed that Greater Manchester Police had failed to bring any charges against the original men involved in the scandal between 2008 and 2010, which then allowed them to continue to abuse.

As well as this, the report found that another young girl, named in the investigation as 'Amber', had come forward with significant evidence the abuse was ongoing - allegations that brought the matter to the public's attention.

However, despite her evidence being of strong quality that could help to shut down the sex ring, the crimes were not reported by the force, which left the perpetrators free to potentially abuse more children.

As well as this, 'Amber' herself was named as a co-conspirator without her consent, as the prosecution aimed to have 'Amber' tell her evidence to a jury at a trial.

However, officers failed to tell 'Amber' of the plan and was thus unable to defend herself, which the report said would present a huge risk to her and her family's safety that had either not been considered or simply ignored.

The report was commissioned by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, following a string of allegations that lessons from failings that led to the death 15-year-old Victoria Agoglia in 2003, had not been learned by the region's police force.

Responding to the report's findings, Mr Burnham admitted that the document was "hard to read", but was important to look at what could have done better to avoid children being left in vulnerable positions.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“This report is hard to read. It gives a detailed and distressing account of how many young people were so seriously failed. That said, it fulfils the purpose of why I set up this review in the first place. It is only by facing up fully and unflinchingly to what happened that we can be sure of bringing the whole system culture change needed when it comes to protecting children from abuse.

“I would like to thank those who have had the courage to come forward and share what happened to them. We know how difficult it must have been and still is. We are sorry that you were so badly failed by the system that should have protected you. I would also like to praise those who blew the whistle on their behalf, particularly Sara Rowbotham and Maggie Oliver, and for the support they have provided to them ever since. That took huge courage and determination and we thank them for it. The Deputy Mayor and I will personally ensure that support continues to be in place for all the victims of this appalling abuse and the organisations who support them.

“I decided to set up this review shortly after taking office in 2017 on the back of the serious allegation that lessons from failings in Manchester in the early 2000s, which led to the tragic death of Victoria Agoglia, were not learned and were subsequently repeated in Rochdale several years later. The report from the review team finds that this claim is accurate. That represents a serious failing by those in the Greater Manchester system at that time.

“I have asked Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Council to ensure that every possible action is taken to follow up any leads arising from this report and to pursue any potential perpetrators.

“More broadly, we will now proceed to the fourth and final stage of this process which will seek to answer the original question which I set at the start: whether the Greater Manchester public can have confidence in the arrangements in place now for protecting children from sexual abuse.

“The events described in this report took place over 10 years ago and things have changed considerably in that time. Recent Ofsted inspections have found the way children at risk of sexual exploitation are protected by Rochdale's children’s services has improved, and GMP have a specialist child sexual exploitation unit. But there can no complacency on this of all issues, and that is why we continue to challenge ourselves and will not rest until we have independent assurance that today's arrangements are robust.”

Deputy Mayor for Police, Crime, Fire and Criminal Justice, Kate Green, said:

“These reviews have been crucial for giving us a full and objective picture of non-recent child sexual exploitation in various parts of Greater Manchester. I am grateful to Malcolm Newsam and Gary Ridgway for conducting such a thorough review into Rochdale, listening to and respecting survivors, and putting them at the heart of this process.

“While this would have been difficult reading for GMP and Rochdale Council, I know they have taken it very seriously. I also know that attitudes and safeguarding practice have moved on.

“If anyone has been a victim of child sexual exploitation in Rochdale or anywhere in Greater Manchester, I want them to know that they will be listened to, they will be taken seriously, and action will be taken, and I would encourage them to come forward and report it and seek advice and help.”

Greater Manchester Police's Chief Constable Stephen Watson said that the force deeply regrets its actions that led to the organised abuse of children during the period covered in the review.

"It remains to be a matter of profound regret that victims of child sexual exploitation in Rochdale in the early 2000s were failed by Greater Manchester Police – to them, I apologise," he added.

Since the original nine men were convicted as part of Operation Span, a further 135 people have been arrested, with 32 others being convicted of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Reflecting on the figures, Watson insisted: "This data should also warn perpetrators of child sexual exploitation that, regardless of the passage of time, GMP will pursue you until you face justice.

“The partnership will, of course, now spend time digesting the contents of the report to ensure the partnership has not missed any opportunities to improve."

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