FORTY people arrested in child sex abuse investigation

FORTY people have been arrested by police investigating non-recent child sex abuse in West Yorkshire.

38 men and two women, mostly from the Kirklees area, have all been released on bail as part of Operation Teeford.

It relates to nine female victims who are believed to have been abused between 1989 and 1999.

West Yorkshire Police say it happened "predominantly" in Bradford and Dewsbury and is not connected to other investigations in the same area.

DCI Ian Thornes, who leads non-recent child sexual exploitation investigations in Kirklees, said: “Safeguarding and protecting children remains a top priority for West Yorkshire Police. This ongoing investigation again demonstrates our determination to investigate all reports of child sexual abuse in Kirklees and West Yorkshire, whether recent, or from a number of years ago.

“This arrest phase has followed many months of investigation into reports of sexual offences against young girls in Dewsbury and Batley between 1989 and 1999 and we continue to work with and support victims.

“We firmly mean it when we say no stone is left unturned to thoroughly examine all reports of these abhorrent offences which affect some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

He added: “Tackling child abuse is not something that any one agency can do in isolation; we work closely with local authorities, other organisations and charities to support victims, bringing the perpetrators to justice, to make our communities safer.

“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or from the past, to report it to the police. Please be assured that you will be listened to, taken seriously and supported by professionals with experience of dealing with these kind of offences.”