Bradford grooming gang investigation will be 'watershed moment'
Earlier in the month, 15 men who formed part of a Bradford grooming gang were sentenced to 188 years in total for historic offences including child rape dating back to 2007.
The investigation into grooming gangs in Bradford and Keighley by the national inquiry will be a “watershed moment” for the area, an MP has said.
Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has long campaigned for a statutory probe into child sexual exploitation into his area and the wider district.
Yesterday, Baroness Anne Longfield, chairman of the Statutory Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, announced that Bradford and Keighley would be one of the first local investigations, alongside Oldham and London.
The former children’s commissioner, who hails from Ilkley, is leading the Government’s £65m three-year statutory probe into child sexual exploitation (CSE).
She said: “For years, Bradford and Keighley has been at the centre of serious and longstanding concerns about grooming gangs and failures to protect children.
“As someone who lives in this area myself, I know the strength of the local demand for a local investigation.”
Mr Moore has been calling for an independent investigation into grooming in Bradford since he was first elected in 2019.
Solicitors Switalskis previously told The Yorkshire Post that victims from different parts of the country “report being trafficked” to Bradford.
Since 2016, police investigations in West Yorkshire have resulted in over 215 offenders sentenced to more than 2,400 years.
Earlier in the month, 15 men who formed part of a Bradford grooming gang were sentenced to 188 years in total for historical offences including child rape dating back to 2007.
Mr Moore said: “Securing a full independent inquiry is without doubt one of the most important issues I have campaigned on.
“After years of determined effort, this announcement represents a major step towards securing the answers that victims, survivors, and their families have long been denied.
“Today is a watershed moment for Keighley and the wider Bradford District and, above all, for the many victims and survivors whose bravery carried us to this point.
“This heinous crime has haunted our community for decades, and now after years of tireless campaigning and lobbying, their voices are finally being heard,” Mr Moore added.
“I want to pay tribute to Fiona Goddard and the many others from across Keighley whom I have met - without them, none of this would be possible.
“Fiona is one of the bravest individuals I have ever met. Her extraordinary courage in speaking out and becoming a leading voice for survivors nationally should be an inspiration to us all - both locally in Keighley and across the UK.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch added: “This inquiry is a huge step towards getting to the truth, and finding accountability for survivors, including those across Keighley and Bradford.
“Huge credit goes to Fiona Goddard for her relentless courage, and to Robbie Moore for fighting for this.”
Ms Goddard bravely waived her anonymity to speak publicly about the ongoing trauma of being groomed and sexually abused by gangs of men while living in a care home in Bradford from 2008.
In 2019, nine people were found guilty of offences including rape and child prostitution. Ms Goddard, 32, said this was “enabled” by social services and the police.
Following the announcement, she told The Yorkshire Post: “It’s long overdue that Bradford is looked into – it shouldn’t have taken this long.
"I’m glad it is one of the localities. I’ve had a lot of support from journalists and many politicians, including Robbie and Kemi.
"I’ve had my locality decided on, but there are many other survivors anxiously waiting to hear on theirs.”
The inquiry is set to announce more local investigations going forward. Ms Goddard also revealed she had started working with the inquiry once again, after previously having quit the victims’ panel over Home Office interference.
Coun Stephen Place, Bradford Council leader, said: “Today’s announcement is an important and welcome step.
“We have been clear that Bradford and Keighley should be included as a local area for investigation, and we welcome the decision to include the district in this process.
“To victims and survivors, I want to assure you that we are here to listen, and we recognise the courage it takes to come forward, and the council stands ready to assist the Inquiry and Baroness Longfield in any way we can.”