Local reviews into grooming will get answers and bring change, says Cooper
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An audit looking into the current scale and nature of “gang-based exploitation” across the country has been announced, as well as local reviews into grooming in some areas. The Home Secretary, following weeks of pressure including from billionaire X-owner Elon Musk for a national inquiry into grooming, said local reviews would provide more answers and change than a nationwide probe.
Yvette Cooper’s announcements came a day after she was threatened with legal action over the child grooming issue. Former police detective Maggie Oliver, who resigned from Greater Manchester Police in 2012, said she would take Ms Cooper to court unless she took “urgent steps to allay widespread public concern” over gangs sexually exploiting children.
On Thursday, Ms Cooper told Parliament of two key parts of a £10 million plan to tackle grooming gangs and child sexual abuse, namely a three-month “rapid audit” of the current situation across the country, and “victim-centred, locally-led inquiries” in five areas, including Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Mr Musk had directly insulted safeguarding minister Jess Phillips on social media, after she declined a request from Oldham Council for a Whitehall-led inquiry into child sexual abuse in the town, saying it should follow other towns in commissioning its own inquiry.
