New data reveals a significant overrepresentation of Pakistanis in grooming crimes
London: Recent data shows that Pakistanis are up to four times more likely to be involved in child grooming offences compared to the general population. This information comes from a new police report that highlights the ethnic backgrounds of offenders.
In the first nine months of last year, 13.7% of grooming offences involved individuals of Pakistani descent. This figure dropped to 6.9% in 2023, but it’s still notably higher than their 2.7% representation in the overall population, according to the 2021 census.
The data was released by the Hydrant Programme, which was established to improve the collection of information on child sexual abuse cases. This initiative came after criticism regarding the lack of quality data on offenders and victims.
There’s been a lot of debate around this issue, especially with political figures like Sir Keir Starmer facing scrutiny for not supporting a national inquiry into grooming gangs. Historically, there have been concerns that police might hesitate to act against offenders of Pakistani origin due to fears of being labeled racist.
Interestingly, while grooming offences are a serious concern, the majority of reported cases involve white perpetrators. In 2023, they made up 70% of the offenders. The police are cautious about the data, noting that it only covers a portion of suspects since ethnicity is recorded only after interviews.
Experts are calling for more research to understand why there’s a higher number of Pakistanis linked to these crimes. Some suggest it could be due to various factors, including the nature of the victims or just statistical anomalies.
Rebecca Riggs from the National Police Chiefs’ Council emphasized that police will follow the evidence, regardless of the ethnicity of the offenders. She also expressed concern that focusing too much on grooming could overshadow other forms of child abuse.
The government is aware of the data gaps regarding the ethnicities of offenders and victims and is working to address these issues. There’s a clear need for more comprehensive data to tackle this sensitive topic effectively.
Overall, this situation is complex and requires careful handling to ensure that all forms of child abuse are addressed without bias or fear of political repercussions.
