GMP welcomes Baroness Casey's recommendations following review into CSE

Greater Manchester Police’s lead for Vulnerability and Public Protection, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker has welcomed a national inquiry into the historic child sexual exploitation cases.

On Friday, a gang of seven rapists, including two from Oldham, who groomed vulnerable girls in Rochdale were convicted at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court of a total of 50 offences that occurred between 2001 and 2006.    

These were the latest convictions as part of Operation Lytton – an investigation by the specialist Major Investigations Team into non-recent CSE in Rochdale which has been supported by the multi-agency complex safeguarding team, Sunrise, alongside Rochdale Borough Council. 

Assistant Chief Constable, Parker said: “We welcome Baroness Louise Casey’s report and recommendations, and the announcement made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a national inquiry into grooming gangs.  

“Greater Manchester Police will approach this with openness and transparency and welcome the statutory powers this invokes to ensure complete accountability. 

“This report confirms many of the issues uncovered by the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Independent Assurance Reviews and I want to reiterate my apology to all those who have been let down by GMP in the past. 

“It is pleasing to see this report provides tangible evidence that the lessons we have already learned in Greater Manchester are now ingrained in our current practice and we are seeing strong outcomes as a result. 

“The report highlights good practice in GMP’s collection of data in relation to perpetrators and survivors and reinforces our commitment to tackling this horrendous crime. Our unique approach through our dedicated CSE Major Investigation Team, with almost 100 officers and staff investigating serious and complex multi-victim CSE, tangibly shows our improvements and our ambition to drive standards nationally. This is supported by the 10 district complex safeguarding teams, who ensure an effective integrated approach across GMP and our partners."

She added: “We know we still have a way to go and are not complacent about the scale of what needs to be done. While we are demonstrably better, we will continue to stay true to our apology to those victims we have previously let down, reflecting on our progress, and act on scrutiny to further improve. As such, the recommendations from Baroness Casey’s report will be assessed by our dedicated CSE MIT team, to ensure where we are not already meeting these, we can implement the processes or changes needed to deliver on them, so the survivors within Greater Manchester receive the service and support they truly deserve. 

“This report also shows where we are today, and my hope is that it provides survivors with confidence in our determination to bring offenders to justice through our approach of traditional detective work and a modern victim-centred approach. We work proactively to speak to those who have been named as part of our investigations, approaching potential victims, which has resulted in the further identification of offenders. 

“This translates into the real-life examples where GMP is working successfully in partnership with other agencies to relentlessly pursue justice for survivors. In the past week seven men were convicted of 50 offences as part of Operation Lytton. This is the second major investigation into non-recent CSE in Rochdale and brings the total to 32 now brought to justice. We know this would not have been possible without the bravery of the two survivors in this case. 

"The fact that for some survivors, they may also have been criminalised only adds to the trauma, so I am pleased to see Baroness Casey make the recommendation to review and potentially quash those convictions where children should have been protected, not left with further stigma, affecting the rest of their lives. 

“Survivors place their trust in us to get the justice they deserve so it is vital we provide them with tailored support from us and our partners, taking steps forward at a pace they are comfortable with and in a way that is right for them. We are also acutely aware that of the many survivors we have spoken to, for some the time may not be right for them – but if or when that changes, we will be ready to listen and do all we can, no matter the time that has passed. 

“This horrific abuse affects all communities and age groups, and with the structures we now have in place we can address exploitation at all levels, regardless of ethnicity or backgrounds, whether it is committed by gangs, or individuals. We are committed to tackling the exploitation of children, without prejudice and led by the evidence, acting on what survivors tell us. 

“Our data shows the current picture of offending and victims in GM and reflects similarly across recent and non-recent investigations – we know from previous local reports and our own data we have a higher proportion of Asian offenders compared to other areas of the country. Our position is clear, we will always be led by the evidence, no matter how and where the offences occur. 

“Finally, we will do all we can to support the national police investigation being led by the NCA, to investigate those cases which were not previously progressed through the criminal justice system. 

“Our commitment remains to get justice for survivors and hold those accountable for these vile crimes.”