I quizzed Sadiq Khan on grooming gangs – new letter has left me shocked | Politics | News
Today’s commissioner’s letter to Sadiq Khan will be shocking to Londoners and those beyond the capital; The seriousness of the problem of grooming gangs operating here under the noses of regional and national authorities is much worse than I imagined. Like the public, I am shocked and appalled by the scale of the discovery, but we must now turn our attention to action on behalf of the victims and survivors.
Since January, I have repeatedly raised the issue of grooming gangs in London with the Mayor and other officials. I was stymied repeatedly on this issue until the Commissioner finally acknowledged and admitted at a meeting of the Police and Crime Committee a few weeks ago that these gangs were indeed operating here in the capital.
Surely the Express’ disclosure of the existence of victims in HMICFRS reports dating back to 2016 has put further pressure on authorities – at all levels – to look again at this problem and this time to be honest and transparent about the extent of the problem.
As a Councillor, I have met many grooming gang victims and survivors who have told me their stories of the violence, fear, intimidation and harassment they face from perpetrators who see no consequences for their actions. This cannot be allowed to continue and my ongoing report on the crisis will seek to further reveal just how deeply ingrained this scourge is in the capital.
Today cannot be an ordinary day. There is no headline or announcement that the fast-moving press or disinterested producers will forget tomorrow. Today we are told, in black and white, the true extent of the evil of London’s grooming gangs. No one should be able to claim that they have no idea or claim that this moment has passed. Doing so would be unfair to the survivors and amnesty to the perpetrators.
People in positions of authority have a responsibility to those who put them there to act in the greater interest and public needs. It is now clear that the public need is for swift action to be taken against those who are perpetrating or perpetrating these repeated abuses of vulnerable young people in London. I will continue to advocate this through the London Assembly until all victims are heard and their suffering ends. At least today we cannot avoid what needs to be done.
As for the disdain shown to me by our Mayor Sadiq Khan for having the audacity to ask the question ‘Do we have rape gangs in London’, I’ll let Londoners have their say on that!
