10,000 lines of enquiry in Rotherham abuse investigation

An investigation into child sexual abuse in Rotherham has now identified 29 key suspects, with 'hundreds more' under investigation

Published 6th Jun 2016

An investigation into child sexual abuse in Rotherham has now identified 29 key suspects, with 'hundreds more' under investigation.

The National Crime Agency says detectives have spoken to around 82 victims as part of Operation Stovewood - admitting that's only 5 per cent of the potential numbers thought to be involved.

The investigation was ordered by South Yorkshire Police in 2014 and is looking into claims of abuse between 1997 and 2013.

The force has agreed to fund nearly 50 extra officers to work on the investigation this year, taking the total to 117.

Detectives are currently looking into more than 10,000 lines of enquiry.

The investigation has, so far, been divided into eight major investigations, which the NCA says reflects the scale and complexity of it.

The investigation has collated, analysed and electronically recorded 16 years of material from local agencies – in excess of 120,000 documents.