This article explores the timeline of grooming cases and investigations that have emerged over the years
Rotherham: There have been a lot of investigations into child grooming lately. It’s been a tough topic, and the timeline shows just how serious the issue is.
Back in 2010, five men were sentenced for grooming teenage girls in Rotherham. It was a big deal, and finally, the police started taking action in Rochdale too.
Fast forward to 2012, and reports revealed that authorities had known about these grooming activities for years but didn’t do much about it. Nine men were convicted in Rochdale that same year.
Then in 2014, a professor published a shocking report about child exploitation in Rotherham, revealing that over 1,400 kids were abused by gangs. It was a real eye-opener.
In 2015, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was set up, allowing for deeper investigations into these failures. A separate report that year highlighted the abuse in Oxfordshire, showing a troubling pattern.
By 2018, more cases came to light in Huddersfield, where a gang was sentenced for abusing vulnerable girls. It was similar to what had happened in other towns.
In 2020, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester apologized for police failings, admitting that many kids were abused right under their noses.
In 2022, reports in Oldham revealed that police and local councils had failed to protect kids from grooming gangs, but there was no cover-up. The same year, a report showed over 1,000 kids were exploited in Telford.
By 2023, the Home Secretary faced backlash for her comments about British Pakistani men and grooming gangs, which sparked a lot of debate.
Finally, in 2024, a report revealed that girls in Rochdale were left vulnerable for years due to police and council failures. It’s a heartbreaking situation that needs urgent attention.
