Grooming gang investigations dropped by police because of ‘potentially human error’
In the early stages of the national review into the cases, it was suggested that police investigations into grooming gangs were abandoned due to potential human error.
Under Operation Beaconport, thousands of cases of alleged child abuse that did not result in a suspect being charged will be investigated, with some expected to be reopened and brought to the courts.
So far, 1,273 cases from 23 police forces have been referred to the National Crime Agency-led investigation, 236 of which involved allegations of rape.
Speaking to reporters at a briefing on Tuesday, NCA deputy director of investigations Nigel Leary said: “Initial investigations have found that in some cases where there has been no decision not to take further action (NFA), there are existing avenues of investigation that could be pursued. “We have seen what appears to be potential human error in these cases.
“We found that in some cases these investigations did not follow what we define as appropriate investigative practice, which in fact may have contributed to the NFA decision.
“This includes, for example, identifying but not pursuing lines of investigation, victims not taking statements in what we would recognize as best practice, and suspects not being pursued or questioned in the way we would have anticipated.”
Asked whether there was evidence of misconduct or criminal activity as to why the cases were not progressing, Mr Leary said it was too early to tell, but added: “We are aware of that and should we identify that we will adopt our standard protocol to liaise with the professional standards department within the force in relation to any officer currently on that duty. “It will then be for them to determine an appropriate course of action… that could be a referral to the IOPC…. [Independent Office of Police Conduct].”
Operation Beaconport will examine cases between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2025. Each must involve two or more suspects, multiple victims, contact crimes, and the suspects must still be alive.
Each file forwarded by the police force will be assessed and potentially returned for reopening the investigation under the supervision of special officers from the Home Office-funded project. Complex cases may be investigated by the NCA.
The cost of the program, which is carried out jointly with the Child Sexual Exploitation working group and the Combating Organized Exploitation (TOEX) program, is not yet known.
Mr Leary described the operation as “the most comprehensive investigation of its kind in the history of the UK” but made clear not all files would result in cases being reopened. Re-filed criminal justice cases could take years to reach the courts, he added.
He said: “There will be many challenges that mean investigations into non-recent sexual offenses will take time. They are inherently complex. Crime scenes may no longer exist, witnesses may no longer be in the area… and often no forensic evidence may be found.”
When asked if the suspects might try to flee the country due to the possibility of the case being reopened, Operation Beaconport Director Jav Oomer said there were “extradition options” available as the operation worked with Europol and Interpol.
He said: “The first and most important of these missions is to ensure that survivors of group-based child sexual abuse receive special justice. And this justice will mean different things for each victim or survivor. For some, it will mean the reopening of the investigation and the criminal conviction of the offenders.”
“For others, this may mean that they are heard and believed where they were not before. This will mean acknowledging victims and survivors and potentially apologizing when the opportunity arises or if any wrongdoing is identified.”
The findings of the operation will also be used to “identify learning” for police forces and will be shared with the long-awaited public inquiry into grooming gangs, which is due to start next year following the loss of two candidates to head the inquiry.
Three years ago, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal, described child sexual abuse as an “epidemic” in England and Wales.
Earlier this month, a review by police watchdog Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services found progress was being made by the force in tackling grooming gangs, but noted problems with data accuracy. and national-level coordination risked weakening the police response.
Speaking at the Operation Beaconport briefing, Richard Fewkes of the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “There is much more work to be done… What Beaconport will do is significantly accelerate this work, further enhance police forces’ approaches to group-based child sexual abuse and ensure there is a sustainable model of response and investigation that is developed and endures beyond Beaconport.”
