Grooming gang survivors hit out as police close probe | UK | News
Humberside Police close grooming gang investigation (Image: Getty)
Survivors of the Hull grooming gang have reacted furiously after police closed an investigation into their alleged abuse without anyone being charged. Humberside Police It launched an investigation in 2019 and 34 people were arrested, but no charges were laid when it closed in 2021.
A new team took over the investigation in 2022, called Operation Conference, after experts from the Hydrant Program, which leads the national police agency’s child sexual abuse investigations, reviewed the original police investigation.
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The investigation into grooming gang members was reopened after Sky News revealed the broadcaster interviewed two teenagers who identified their alleged attackers and the locations where they were raped and sold into the sex trade.
The Operations Conference was investigating allegations from five women who said they were abused as teenagers in the East Yorkshire city.
One abuse victim told Sky she was raped by more than 100 men from the age of 13 during an ordeal that lasted three years.
She mentioned that 10 to 11 men would come to an apartment every day wanting to rape her. Another survivor told the broadcaster he felt like a puppet.
Sky News On Tuesday, April 14, it was reported that the women said the three-and-a-half-year-old investigation was now closed.
A man identified by one of the women as the main abuser was convicted in a separate case for similar offenses in another town, according to Sky.
One woman told the broadcaster: “It gave us hope to be told that previous police officers had missed parts and were confident from the initial investigation that they could sort out the mess.
“It’s been 10 years since the first harassment began for me. Ten years, two failed police investigations.”
Humberside Police reportedly told them 44 potential suspects had been identified but there was not enough evidence to meet the threshold for prosecution.
In its statement, the Union stated that sexual abuse of children is a deplorable crime and that they are determined to approach all reports with the utmost importance and sensitivity.
He noted that such cases are often extremely complex and require careful and thorough examination of all available evidence.
Police added: “We commend the bravery and bravery of those who attended the Operational Conference as we understand that speaking out about sexual exploitation is incredibly difficult and distressing to disclose.”
He said the priority throughout the review and investigation is to pursue the evidence without fear or favor and to complete a full, fair and professional investigative review by investigating every line of inquiry possible.
The statement said: “As is required in all investigations of this nature, a conclusion must be reached to determine whether the investigations meet the evidentiary threshold to be formally referred to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) for a charging decision.
“After a thorough and detailed review of all available evidence relevant to this investigation, no charges were brought against the suspects in this case.”
Police said if any new information comes to light it will be treated seriously and investigated to determine whether it is based on past investigations.
The statement continued: “We want to reassure victims that if you come forward you will be heard and supported throughout the process and we will strive to do all we can to achieve justice for those affected.
“Any reports of child sexual abuse will always be taken seriously and fully investigated and we will always encourage anyone who believes they are or have been a victim of child sexual abuse or a similar crime to come forward and speak to us.”
The women are now calling for Hull to be included in local investigation plans for the national investigation into grooming gangs.
Six towns will be selected as part of a three-year statutory independent inquiry by former Children’s Commissioner Baroness Anne Longfield.
Baroness Longfield will lead local investigations in areas where serious faults are suspected to have occurred, including Oldham.
Local investigations will examine the actions of police, local authorities, social services and other agencies at local and national levels.
The grooming of gang victims was ignored, belittled and even blamed for abuse, Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood said in December.
He said Baroness Longfield and members of the panel of inquiry would “shine a bright light” on a “dark moment” in British history.
