Ten men from South and West Yorkshire arrested over Rotherham child sexual abuse allegations

Detectives have made 10 further arrests over ongoing abuse allegations made by four girls in Rotherham.

The men from various locations across South and West Yorkshire were arrested this week as part of the National Crime Agency's Operation Stovewood investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse in the town 20 years ago.

All 10, who are aged between 35 and 53, were questioned over the sexual abuse of four girls who were aged between 11 and 16 at the time of the allegations. They have all since been released while investigations continue.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It follows the arrests of five men in Rotherham and Leeds last month which were also made in connection with the investigation.

Ten men have been arrested over child sexual abuse allegations made by girls in Rotherham. Picture: Adobe Stock ImagesTen men have been arrested over child sexual abuse allegations made by girls in Rotherham. Picture: Adobe Stock Images
Ten men have been arrested over child sexual abuse allegations made by girls in Rotherham. Picture: Adobe Stock Images

A sixth person was also detained last week.

The latest arrests mean that 150 people have now been arrested over Operation Stovewood, with 20 convicted of child sexual explotation offences and jailed for a total of nearly 250 years.

The operation is the single-largest investigation in the UK into non-familial child sexual abuse.

Philip Marshall, senior investigating officer, said: “This has been a significant week of operational activity and, working closely with local partners in Rotherham and across Yorkshire, we continue to focus on supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice as part of Operation Stovewood.

The allegations are centred around the sexual abuse of girls in Rotherham 20 years agoThe allegations are centred around the sexual abuse of girls in Rotherham 20 years ago
The allegations are centred around the sexual abuse of girls in Rotherham 20 years ago
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“While that work goes on it is important we still reach out and appeal to victims or witnesses to come forward.

“We’re interested in speaking to anyone who might have information to help investigations into child sexual abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

“They should know that we will support them and they can speak to us in the strictest of confidence.”