A former detective reveals that grooming incidents persist in Oxford, urging action to protect victims and address ongoing abuse.
Oxford: A former police officer, Simon Morton, who once led a major grooming investigation, is sounding the alarm that similar abuse is still happening in the area. He mentioned that the offenders are still out there, operating right under our noses.
Morton, who was the senior investigating officer for Thames Valley Police, shared his concerns with the BBC. He pointed out that these perpetrators are not hiding; they are influencing others to continue these harmful actions.
He believes that grooming is a widespread issue, affecting cities all over the country. This sentiment is backed by another police source, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
His remarks come at a time when a proposed amendment to the government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which aimed to initiate a national inquiry into grooming gangs, was recently rejected.
The government has committed to following the recommendations from a 2022 inquiry led by Professor Alexis Jay, which looked into child sexual abuse.
Morton previously led Operation Bullfinch, a significant investigation in Oxford that resulted in the conviction of 21 men for crimes committed from the late 1990s to the late 2000s.
He expressed skepticism about calls for a new public inquiry, suggesting they would be a waste of resources. According to him, extensive investigations have already been conducted, and the findings have been thoroughly reviewed.
Morton emphasized the need to take action rather than spend money on more inquiries. He believes the focus should be on helping victims instead of debating the need for further investigations.
A survivor of child sexual abuse echoed his sentiments, stating that the current discussions are misdirected. She feels the emphasis should be on supporting victims rather than political maneuvering.
She shared her painful experience, urging that the focus should shift to preventing grooming and supporting those affected.
Recently, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced new measures that could penalize those who fail to report child sexual abuse. However, Morton pointed out that many survivors lack trust in authorities, including the police.
He noted that recent media attention has pushed offenders underground, but they remain active. Victims often feel ashamed and fearful, which can prevent them from coming forward.
Morton recounted that during his investigation, many girls were reluctant to share their stories, leading to only a small number of victims testifying in court. He believes the issue is much larger than what was revealed.
In response to Morton’s comments, Thames Valley Police highlighted that Operation Bullfinch led to 24 convictions and emphasized their ongoing commitment to tackling child exploitation.
The police force stated that they have increased resources dedicated to investigating child abuse and managing sexual offenders, making it a top priority.
