Grooming

Government announces a near tenfold increase but forces fear it will not cover anticipated cost of dedicated teamsKeir Starmer’s government has announced a near tenfold increase in funding for detectives hunting grooming gangs but has been warned by police that the amount will “likely fall short” of what is needed.Operation Beaconport, which was set up last year to review closed group-based sexual exploitation inquiries in England and Wales, will receive nearly £38m, a Home Office statement said – up from £4m given last year. Continue reading...

Inquiry will directly look at whether factors influenced offending and institutional response in England and WalesThe grooming gangs inquiry will directly examine whether ethnicity, culture or religion influenced offending and whether they shaped the institutional response.The statutory independent inquiry has published its terms of reference, which will be laid before parliament when it returns from recess on 13 April. The inquiry will then begin its full investigation into the group-based sexual exploitation of children in England and Wales. Continue reading...

Man was teaching at a secondary school for boys when he allegedly targeted the girl – who police say he did not knowGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA high school teacher has been accused of grooming a teenage girl and offering money for her to produce sexually explicit material.Police allege the 29-year-old man targeted a 14-year-old girl not known to him, before she told her parents who alerted authorities. Continue reading...