Jeevan

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article4371626.ece Call for national debate on Muslim sex grooming

Totally agree, these idiots cannot breed thank WaheGuru for small mercies. What gets me we have a religion (Sikhism) that preaches equality, honest work, belief in one God, in balance with nature (vegetarianism), Saint Soldier Philosphy etc. etc. why would you follow one man and put yourself through this?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/spiritual-leader-allegedly-manipulated-400-men-into-removing-testicles-to-be-closer-to-god-10078095.html Spiritual leader allegedly manipulated 400 men into removing testicles to be 'closer to God' The castrations allegedly started happening from 2000 Lamiat Sabin Sunday, 1 March 2015 A man has been accused of encouraging hundreds of followers to be castrated in a promise for them to become closer to God. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, an Indian pop-star and telepreacher with a reported wealth of more than $50 million, is being investigated after he allegedly manipulated around 400 men to get their testicles removed – according to India Today. One of his former followers who underwent castration seven years ago – named Hans Raj Chauhan – is one of the few to break the silence to speak out against him and the group. “[The victims] were told that only those who get castrated will be able to meet God,” said Chauhan’s lawyer, Navkiran Singh, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Chauhan, 35, filed a petition against the guru in 2012 and the Central Bureau of Investigation has started looking into claims dating back as far back as 2000 in preparation of charges of grievous bodily harm. However many followers are believed to be in fear of speaking out. In January, MailOnline reported how Singh, the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation, had hit back at the allegations. At a press conference for his new film he said: “Such allegations disturb me, when I am doing good for humanity. Therefore me and my legal advisor are going to move the court challenging the allegations.” The alleged castrations were said to be mainly carried out at a hospital run by the DSS in Singh’s ancestral village Gurusar Modia, in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. The DSS also owns factories, markets, farms, restaurants, hotels and runs schools and orphanages, according to Latterly Magazine. Singh – who has more than 87,000 Twitter followers but is not a follower of anyone – describes himself on a social media bio as a “spiritual Saint/philanthropist/versatile singer/allrounder sportsperson/film director/art director/music director/script writer/lyricist/autobiographer/DOP”.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/mar/01/gangs-abused-hundreds-of-oxfordshire-children-serious-case-review Serious case review slams police failure in serial abuse of Oxford girls Some of the 300 victims, mostly girls in care, were exploited for more than eight years despite repeated calls for help to authorities Thames Valley police are criticised in the report for failing to act on repeated calls for help. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images Sandra Laville Sunday 1 March 2015 22.00 GMT Last modified on Monday 2 March 2015 07.08 GMT Shares684 More than 300 young people have been groomed and sexually exploited by gangs of men in Oxfordshire in the past 15 years, a damning report into the failures of police and social services to stop years of sexual torture, trafficking and rape will reveal, the Guardian has learned. The victims, mostly girls, come predominantly from the city of Oxford, increasing concerns that the grooming and exploitation of vulnerable young people by groups of older men is not confined to the inner cities. One senior investigative source said: “If you think you haven’t got a problem in your city or town, you are just not looking for it.” If you think you haven’t got a problem in your city or town, you are just not looking for it Senior investigator Police and social services in Oxfordshire will be heavily criticised for not doing enough to stop years of violent abuse and enslavement of six young girls, aged 11-15, by a gang of men. Such was the nature of the abuse, suffered for more than eight years by the girls, it was likened to torture. All of the victims had a background in care. A serious case review by the Oxfordshire safeguarding children’s board, to be published on Tuesday, will condemn Thames Valley police for not believing the young girls, for treating them as if they had chosen to adopt the lifestyle, and for failing to act on repeated calls for help. Oxfordshire social services – which had responsibility for the girls’ safety – will be equally damned for knowing they were being groomed and for failing to protect them despite compelling evidence they were in danger. One social worker told a trial that nine out of 10 of those responsible for the girls was aware of what was going on. The serious case review has put a figure on the numbers exploited to give an idea of the scale of the problem. The report will say more than 300 young people have been subjected to grooming and abuse between 1999 and 2014 in Oxfordshire alone. Advertisement The attempt to quantify the scale of abuse mirrors the work of the Jay report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, which said 1,400 young people had been subjected to grooming and abuse between 1999 and 2013. An insider said the report was “brutal” in its condemnation of Thames Valley police and Oxfordshire social services. Weeks before the publication of the serious case review, the chief executive of Oxfordshire county council, Joanna Simons, announced she would be stepping down in the summer, a move questioned by the Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who said he was “concerned at the decision and how it had been taken”. The council said she would not be replaced and the authority was reorganising its management structure. In a joint message with the council in January, Simons said that in order to protect frontline services, the authority would be making changes to its top team which would involve the departure of the chief executive. The case echoes the child exploitation scandals in Rotherham, Rochdale and Derby involving gangs of men of Asian background targeting white girls in care. In Oxford, however, the grooming, sexual torture and trafficking took place on the streets of the Cowley area of the city, in churchyards, parks, a guesthouse and empty flats procured for the purpose of drugging the girls and handing them around to be gang raped and brutalised. A 12-year-old victim was branded by the men and, when she fell pregnant, subjected to a backstreet abortion in a house in Reading. Over six years, she was repeatedly raped by groups of men in what she described as “torture sex”. Key findings in the serious case review will expose how police officers and social workers did not listen to the girls when they spoke of the abuse they were suffering, did not believe them and dismissed them. The girls and some of their abusers crossed the police and social services radar multiple times. In 2006 alone, the police received four complaints from the young girls about the men, with their accounts corroborated in some cases. One victim reported the abuse twice to police in 2006. She told officers: “They are doing it to other girls, little girls with their school uniforms on.” There were thousands of contacts between both agencies and the girls and they were reported missing at least 450 times. One victim, known as Girl C, has spoken of how her foster mother reported her missing 80 times. The number of young people identified by the report – more than 300 – as victims of child sexual exploitation in the last 15 years is considered a robust figure because the girls have all been spoken to by police or social services. But the numbers are likely to be an underestimate. Figures from Thames Valley police reveal that 220 of the 2,000 child abuse cases reported across the force in 13 months from July 2013 to August 2014involved child sexual exploitation. Nearly 700 children and young people suspected of being at risk of exploitation have been referred to new specialist police and social services units in Thames Valley between November 2012 and November 2014; 250 in Berkshire, 237 in Buckinghamshire and 206 in Oxfordshire. It was not until 2011 when DCI Simon Morton trawled through missing persons reports, health records and social services data that Thames Valley police began to link the girls’ repeated patterns of going missing, returning and going missing again with the activities of the men – some of whom were known to police for drug crimes. After a groundbreaking two-year investigation, Operation Bullfinch, seven men – including two sets of brothers – were convicted at the Old Bailey in May 2013 of 43 offences, which included trafficking, forcing girls into prostitution, procuring an illegal abortion, rape and physical violence. Brothers Akhtar and Anjum Dogar, Bassam and Mohammed Karrar, Kamar Jamil, Zeeshan Ahmed and Assad Hussain, who were all from Oxford, were given sentences ranging from a minimum of seven to 20 years in prison.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/rotherham-abuse-report-author-says-police-must-be-scrutinised.119197599 inShar Rotherham abuse report author says police must be scrutinised Tuesday 24 February 2015 The author of a damning report on Rotherham's failure to tackle monumental levels of child sexual exploitation has told MPs that its police force should face the same level of scrutiny over their "failure". Louise Casey found a council in denial about how more than 1,400 children had been subjected to rape, violence and trafficking by gangs of mainly Asian men. The Government later replaced the local authority's political leadership with commissioners. Ms Casey told Commons Communities Committee she believed South Yorkshire Police's failures in relation to child sexual exploitation in Rotherham should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny. She added: "South Yorkshire Police more generally, need to look at their failure to the victims of Rotherham, full stop. "Every member of staff that we asked to see had to see us or else we would infer something negative. We could look at any document we wanted to look at. We left no stoned unturned. We took much longer than I know colleagues wanted us to because we wanted to be utterly thorough. "In my view that same scrutiny has not happened with South Yorkshire Police." Ms Casey said some police officers had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission so their actions in relation to Rotherham exploitation allegations could be investigated. She described it as "too easy a solution." Ms Casey added: "The police have to step up and accept the same level of responsibility to those victims and those perpetrators as the local authority. "We were asked to inspect Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and we left no stone unturned. It's a pretty thorough and damning report. The same level of scrutiny has not happened ... to the police in Rotherham over that time." Asked if that should now happen, Ms Casey said: "In my view it should happen, yes." The Casey report criticised a council which it said had a culture of bullying, "misplaced political correctness" and silencing whistleblowers who tried to speak out.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2942899/Police-officer-investigated-probe-Rotherham-child-sex-scandal-died-hit-car-crossed-street.html Home News U.S. Sport TV&Showbiz Australia Femail Health Science Money Video Travel Fashion Finder News Home Arts Headlines Pictures Most read News Board Wires Login Cookie Policy Feedback DailyMail Friday, Feb 6th 2015 0AM -2°C 3AM -2°C 5-Day Forecast Police officer who was being investigated as part of probe into Rotherham child sex scandal has died after he was hit by a car as he crossed the street PC Hassan Ali has died a week after he was knocked down in Sheffield South Yorkshire Police say his death is not treated as suspicious PC was on 'restricted duties' over four allegations linked to Rotherham One abuse victim had complained that he twice asked her on dates His 'devastated' force has today paid tribute to the 'well-liked' police officer By Martin Robinson for MailOnline Published: 16:27, 6 February 2015 | Updated: 20:53, 6 February 2015 340 shares 9 View comments +2 Road death: PC Hassan Ali, 44, who was under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission over the Rotherham scandal, has been killed after being knocked down by a car A serving police officer linked to the Rotherham child sex scandal has died after being hit by a car as he crossed the street. PC Hassan Ali, 44, was under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission after it was alleged he twice asked a victim out on a date. Four complaints in total were made against PC Ali to South Yorkshire Police by two members of the public. But PC Ali was fatally injured after being struck by a car in Darnall, Sheffield at around 10.15pm last Wednesday. He died with his family at his bedside yesterday morning. Police, who have made no arrests, say they are not treating his death as suspicious and a source said they believe it was a 'tragic accident'. Chief Constable David Crompton, of South Yorkshire Police, said: 'All of our thoughts are with Hassan's family and on behalf of the force I would like to offer my sincere condolences at this incredibly difficult time. 'PC Ali was a well-liked officer whose colleagues are devastated by what has happened.' He was a neighbourhood policing officer based in Rotherham and had been placed on 'restricted duties', while the IPCC assessed whether to launch a full investigation into him. One of the complainants, who is now an adult, said PC Ali had first asked her out when she was 17 and then did so again four years later when she was 21. RELATED ARTICLESPrevious 1 2 Next Nigel Farage TRAPPED in Ukip's Rotherham office for two... Fury as Rotherham council boss refuses to say sorry to child... JAN MOIR: Why persecute a doctor but not prosecute sex gang... Share this articleShare The woman said the officer had been involved with her case and was aware she had been a victim of sustained abuse between the ages of 14 and 17. At the time he first asked her on a date, she had a one-year-old son, who had been born after she was made pregnant by her abuser when she was 15. +2 Appeal: Police want to speak to witnesses to the collision that fatally injured the police officer in Staniforth Road, Sheffield. It is not being treated as suspicious The woman said the officer's behaviour had been 'inappropriate and totally unprofessional'. She said she told the police of his approaches in August 2013 when she gave a statement about the abuse she had suffered, but she claimed nothing was done to investigate her claims. South Yorkshire Police last month confirmed an officer had been referred to the IPCC. The woman said she had asked the officer when she was a teenager to provide her with a picture of her son's father for his nursery. 'He said I will get you a picture but you are not to tell anyone because I could lose my job,' she said. 'He said he had to go into files that he wasn't authorised to go into. Then he fetched me the picture to my mum and dad's house. He came in and my mum made him a drink. 'I walked out with him and he asked me out on a date. A few years after he asked me out again.' She said she had said no on both occasions. The nature of the other complaints made against him are not known. This afternoon an official Ukip Twitter account said the death of the was 'Karma'. The tweet, which was deleted shortly after being posted this afternoon, read: 'South Yorkshire police says PC Hassan Ali who was under investigation in relation to child abuse in Rotherham has died in a car crash KARMA!'. Ukip blamed volunteers running the page for the tweet. A Ukip said: 'The UKIP Plymouth account is run by a team of volunteers, and it seems the tweet was made by one of them without permission. 'Once it was tweeted it was deleted almost immediately. The content of the tweet does not reflect the views of the branch, its candidates or indeed the wider party. The matter is being investigated.' Comments (37)Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all The comments below have been moderated in advance. tiredofthewaveofdirt, Accrington, about 3 hours ago The press are scum. The chap is dead... is that not more serious than asking someone on a date? Pathetic. 21 6 Click to rate Ruby13, Cheshire, United Kingdom, about 3 hours ago So, he asked a 17 year old girl who had been abused as a child, on a "date" , what I would like to know , was he married at the time ? This would show his intentions towards an abused 17 year old ! 5 13 Click to rate Troubleatmill, Birmingham, United Kingdom, about 3 hours ago How many more of south Yorkshires men in blue will be investigated and charged in wonder? 1 14 Click to rate AlphaOscarRomeo77, Nottingham, United Kingdom, about 3 hours ago How on earth is it not suspicious if they don't know who's done it?? Never seen such nonchalance for what is a hit and run! 1 6 Click to rate BigBdarlo, Darlington N East UK, about 3 hours ago Conspiracy theorists commence ........ 1 4 Click to rate Roma, Langley Green, about 3 hours ago While I am still debating whether to vote UKIP just to make a political statement against the other parties, I am worried that each of the numerous times something naughty is said/done by their members it just gets swept aside as being done without permission or by unknown persons. Grow a pair u numpties if you want my vote 3 3 Click to rate Candidly, Sydney, about 3 hours ago A police investigation would have a conflict of interest. 1 5 Click to rate Jose Aldo, Dover, United Kingdom, about 4 hours ago Is he guilty? NO the judges will rule tthis 4 8 Click to rate Forgotten Majority, England, United Kingdom, about 4 hours ago Britain has a major problem. The establishment see no evil, hear no evil or speak no evil. I thought we were all equal? 0 28 Click to rate vanityfair, London UK, United Kingdom, about 4 hours ago Suspicious being Rotherham. 1 22 Click to rate Len Clean-Air System, Chelmsford, about 4 hours ago That's it....don't miss an opportunity to get an anti UKIP dig in. 3 18 Click to rate View all The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now More top stories Bing Site Web Enter search term: Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2942899/Police-officer-investigated-probe-Rotherham-child-sex-scandal-died-hit-car-crossed-street.html#ixzz3R0wJw27P Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Two councillors and corrupt police officer accused of having sex with victims of Rotherham abuse scandal SHARE PICTURE +17 Labour MP Sarah Champion, who represents the South Yorkshire town, said she now thinks the figures in the Jay Report may be an underestimate A corrupt police officer and two local politicians - including one serving councillor - have been accused of having sex with abuse victims in Rotherham, it was revealed today. The PC also allegedly passed on information to gangs who are believed to have abused 1,400 children and vulnerable young girls over a 16 year period. It came as a long-awaited independent inspection report into Rotherham Borough Council's is due to be published today, which could recommend the local authority is stripped of its powers. The two Rotherham councillors accused of having sex with abuse victims have been passed on the National Crime Agency, which is investigating the years of abuse in the town. The police officer has been referred to Independent Police Complaints Commission by his force, South Yorkshire Police, according to The Times. Another colleague has also been reported to the IPCC for allegedly failing to pass on information about the officer's conduct. Some were told they and their families would be killed if they spoke out while police and council workers were found to have turned a blind eye. Victims also say that the majority of their abusers are still walking the streets of the town. Last week the town's MP said victims of the Rotherham child abuse scandal may number as many as 2,000 - hundreds more than were identified in damning report - the town's MP said today. The report by Professor Alexis Jay revealed how some 1,400 vulnerable girls had been subjected to rape, violence and trafficking by gangs of mainly Asian men in the town between 1997 and 2013. Labour MP Sarah Champion said new victims were coming to her on a 'weekly basis'. 'I would say it's closer to a couple of thousand people who have been groomed or have been sexually exploited in this little town,' she said. Her claim was supported by the Risky Business community project in Rotherham, the investigation claimed, which said it identified 1,700 victims between 1999 and 2011. Risky Business was one of the few organisations praised by the report, but it was largely ignored and even harassed. It was later shut down. The Jay report provoked shock and controversy when it was published last summer. It revealed the sexual exploitation of young girls and said police and council officials had betrayed the victims by not tackling the problem. The National Crime Agency has taken over the investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham and is in the preliminary stage of its inquiry. Whistleblowers bullied out of their jobs Whistleblowers who flagged up a lack of action by council bosses were bullied, harassed and driven out of their jobs, the report revealed. Instead of acting on the confidential information given to them to help protect children at risk of abuse, the bosses turned on the informants. Inspectors found the council went to ‘some lengths’ to cover up information handed to it and then silence the people who provided it. In three cases, people who blew the whistle felt they had been marginalised by bosses, bullied, harassed and victimised as a result. Similarly, a youth service, whose job it was to highlight the horrendous level of child sex abuse in the community, was closed down. In two cases, whistleblowers claimed they were deliberately ‘restructured’ out. In a third case, they felt they had been marginalised and were forced to leave their job. One said: ‘I stepped forward on behalf of young people. I am proud to have done so despite the cost to my health and financial situation. The machine at Rotherham Council doesn’t care, won’t listen and simply exists to cover up and destroy.’ Rotherham CC 'had no idea of scale' of grooming (related) Another staff member said: ‘We’ve all been made aware of the [whistleblowing] procedure, but no one dares ever use it, because if they did, eventually it would come back to bite them in the backside and they would be bullied out of the organisation.’ In the report, Louise Casey said: ‘It has created an unhealthy climate where people fear to speak out because they have seen the consequences of doing so for others. ‘Staff have spoken to inspectors of being afraid to speak out, told to keep quiet, instructed to cover up, and of a culture where “if you want to keep your job, you keep your head down and your mouth shut”. ‘Inspectors received evidence to show that the council did not always do the right thing. Sometimes this was because officers were worried about the impact on the council’s reputation.’ The youth centre, Risky Business, which worked directly with victims of child sex abuse, flagged up ‘uncomfortable truths’ and was shut down. Mrs Casey said: ‘Child abuse and exploitation happens all over the country, but Rotherham is different in that it was repeatedly told by its own youth service what was happening and it chose, not only to not act, but to close that service down.’ She added: ‘This is important because it points to how it has dealt with uncomfortable truths put before it.’ ROTHERHAM CHILD ABUSE: HOW SCANDAL UNFOLDED OVER TWO DECADES Early to mid 1990s According to the Jay Report, community workers come across examples of child sexual exploitation and find children under the care of the local authority are at risk of being targeted. 1997 The 'Risky Business' youth project is set up to work with people between the ages of 11 and 25 in Rotherham, amid concerns young people are being abused through prostitution. Late 1990s Youth workers start to identify vulnerable girls and young women on Rotherham's streets and refer them to children's social care. SHARE PICTURE +17 Community workers first came across examples of child sexual exploitation regarding children under the care of the local authority in Rotherham (pictured) in the mid-1990s Early 2000s Shaun Wright is elected as a Labour councillor on Rotherham Council. A small group of professionals from key agencies meet children at risk of, or involved in, child sexual exploitation but their work is not properly supported, according to the Jay report. Senior police and social workers think the extent of the issue is being exaggerated. 2002 A Home Office draft report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham criticises agencies and says there is a 'high prevalence of young women being coerced and abused through prostitution'. Police and senior officers at the council are unhappy with the report, claiming some facts are either exaggerated or made up. The report's author does not complete her work. August 2003 A report by strategic drugs analyst Dr Angie Heal, commissioned by South Yorkshire Police, finds there are a 'significant number of girls and some boys who are being sexually exploited' in Rotherham. SHARE PICTURE +17 In 2003, a report commissioned by South Yorkshire Police found there were a 'significant number of girls and some boys who were being sexually exploited' in Rotherham (file picture) September 2003 The Sexual Exploitation Forum is set up, holding monthly meetings to discuss cases of children who are being sexually exploited or are at risk. April 2005 Rotherham Council sets up a new department of children and young people’s services, with Councillor Shaun Wright appointed cabinet member for the department. April 2007 An investigation into the grooming and sexual abuse of young boys identifies more than 70 alleged victims. A man is convicted of offences against 10 children. 2008 Operation Central is set up to investigate men believed to be involved in child sexual exploitation. Autumn 2009 Ofsted rates Rotherham's children's services as 'inadequate'. Councillor Wright resigns from his council cabinet post in the wake of the report. December 2009 SHARE PICTURE +17 Shaun Wright was elected onto Rotherham council in the early 2000s and was later elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire The minister of state for young people and families serves the council with an improvement notice for its children's safeguarding services. 2010 Five men given lengthy jail terms after they are found guilty of grooming teenage girls for sex. April 2010 The local Safeguarding Children Board sets up a child sexual exploitation sub group. September 2012 The Times publishes an investigation revealing that a confidential police report had warned thousands of child sexual exploitation crimes were being committed in South Yorkshire by networks of Asian men. The newspaper also reports that agencies in the town had extensive knowledge of such crimes for decades. South Yorkshire Police refutes claims in article. October 2012 Rotherham Borough Council, South Yorkshire Police and other agencies set up a Child Sexual Exploitation team. Home Affairs Select Committee tells force's chief constable to 'get a grip' on the issue. November 2012 Shaun Wright wins election to become South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner. He states that tackling child sexual exploitation is one of his priorities. January 2013 The chief executive of the council, Martin Kimber, appears before the Home Affairs Select Committee to answer questions about the lack of prosecutions. August 2013 Four women sue the council for failing to protect them when they were children. September 2013 The council announces it is commissioning an independent inquiry. August 2014 Professor Alexis Jay publishes commissioned report into child abuse in Rotherham, revealing more than 1,400 children had been subjected to rape, violence and trafficking between 1997 and 2013. Rotherham Borough Council leader Roger Stone steps down with immediate effect. Mr Wright issues a statement saying he will stay in his job as PCC, despite calls for him to stand down. Home Secretary Theresa May backs calls for Mr Wright to step down and his deputy PCC Tracey Cheetham announces she is resigning because she is 'unable to continue' in her role. SHARE PICTURE +17 In August last year, Professor Alexis Jay (pictured) published report into child abuse in Rotherham, revealing more than 1,400 children had been subjected to rape, violence and trafficking September 2014 Mr Wright resigns. The Labour Party suspends four of its members pending an investigation: former leader of the council Roger Stone, ex-deputy council leader, Jahangir Akhtar, Gwendoline Russell, and Shaukat Ali. November 2014 The Independent Police Complaints Commission announces ten police officers mentioned in the Jay Report are under investigation December 2014 National Crime Agency (NCA) begins investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham February 2015 Devastating report is published by Louise Casey. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announces new elections in 2016 to replace Rotherham Council's 'wholly dysfunctional' political leadership. NAMED AND SHAMED: FOUR HIGH PROFILE ROTHERHAM RESIGNATIONS SHARE PICTURE +17 Quit: The most high profile resignation was that of South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright, pictured The controversy that followed the publication of the Jay Report report in August 2014 led to a series of high-profile resignations. Senior figures to quit included Labour council leader Roger Stone, council chief executive Martin Kimber and council director of children's services Joyce Thacker. The most high profile resignation was that of South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright, who was the Rotherham councillor overseeing children's services between 2005 and 2010. After the scandal broke, Mr Wright defied demands from political leaders of all parties to resign for weeks and refused to see why he should take any blame. He finally stepped down in September, claiming he was leaving 'for the sake of the victims'. It later emerged Mr Wright will not get a severance pay-off, but will keep his local authority pension, which he can claim from the age of 55. Mr Wright had faced demands to quit since the report revealed that the authorities had repeatedly ignored warnings about the abuse of children in Rotherham over 16 years. Meanwhile, shamed former Rotherham children's services boss Joyce Thacker received a £40,000 payoff after quitting her £130,000-a-year in September. The details of the payoff, revealed after a Freedom of Information request last October, came as Mrs Thacker was singled out for criticism in a report published into the town's child sex abuse scandal. The Home Affairs Select Committee report said she ignored 'numerous credible warnings' about the scale of abuse, and called for an independent investigation. There was widespread public outrage when council boss Martin Kimber received £26,000 to leave his job early in December. Martin Kimber issue a 'sincere apology to those who were let down' when he resigned from Rotherham Council and promised he would not receive any 'compensation' for his decision to quit his £160,000 a year post. Mr Kimber was originally intending to work his three months notice until the end of the year, but left his post on 31 October instead, to allow the new chief executive to get on with the job. As a result the local authority paid him £26,666 - the salary he would have received had he worked the final two months. Comments (752)Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Bonesontour, Hereford, about 23 hours ago If CHilcot is anything to go on we might see a report by 2025 4 574 Click to rate Llbt2, Sheffield, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago These poor victims just disappear under the radar! Many of these girls can tell you about their experiences in great detail but are yet to seek justice or even any form of reassuring communication from a figure of authority. It has had a devastating impact on the individuals and their families and is something they will be reminded of forever. These girls need to have their say and be heard, made to feel like their views count, let them educate us on what happened, how it happened and what feeds this vicious circle of disgusting crimes. They know this story better than us. 3 466 Click to rate Starling53, Derby, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago And, more pressingly, the victims need help, support and counselling to help get their lives back on track.The charities that do this so well desperately need money and backing to do this. Rotherham Council will need to dig deep into its tight Yorkshire pockets. 10 358 Click to rate circumflex, Leicester, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago I'll believe that when I see it. I wonder how many have been awarded honours. You can guarantee that they won't be touched. 1 459 Click to rate grumpy_old_man, Manchester, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago Prison sentence to both the paedophiles and the incompetent council staff, especially if the allegations of bullying people who raised the alarm stand true. I hope they all go to jail and receive the treatment they are worth to receive in there. (of course,I then land back to reality in the UK, where the british justice system will either not care or give them a slap on the wrist...) 1 452 Click to rate peejoy, Nottingham, about 23 hours ago I don't care what people say, I believe that these crimes had a high degree of racial motivation. 9 668 Click to rate ARM20, Bristol, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago What an absolute disgrace! 1 360 Click to rate Glynn, Kent, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago This is the future if you vote in a labour government, but they are all rotten to the core, all government agencys and all government workers because when they do find the truth, instead of working for public interest they work for self interest. 22 566 Click to rate Robin, Windsor, about 23 hours ago Any perpetrators who have dual nationality must, on conviction, have their British nationality and passport revoked and be immediate deported - human rights laws don't apply to 'people' like this. Any it is not possible to deport should, on conviction, face a minimum 20 year gaol sentence with hard labour - time to reopen the quarries at Dartmoor prison and make use of them. I don't care what nationality or religion they come from the only way to get the message home is very severe deterrent sentences. When we had capital punishment the penalty was strong enough that we had few murders - not the case today where 8-10 years in prison is about all a murderer can expect. 4 557 Click to rate Rob77, Bolton, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago Just how I imagine the public sector operates generally. 12 428 Click to rate null, about 23 hours ago Justice please for these poor victims 3 357 Click to rate View all The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now SHARE PICTURE Copy link to paste in your message Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2939129/Two-local-councillors-corrupt-police-officer-accused-having-sex-victims-Rotherham-abuse-scandal.html Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group © Associated Newspapers Ltd Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2939129/Two-local-councillors-corrupt-police-officer-accused-having-sex-victims-Rotherham-abuse-scandal.html#ixzz3QuwB8Cep Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

The British Labour Party shameful betrayal of children! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2939129/Two-local-councillors-corrupt-police-officer-accused-having-sex-victims-Rotherham-abuse-scandal.html http://labour25.com/ SHARE SELECTION Click here to print Thursday, Feb 5th 2015 0AM -3°C 3AM -3°C 5-Day Forecast Shame of grooming cover-up: Cynical councillors could be going to jail after report says they systematically hid truthNational Crime Agency is investigating after damning new report out today Rotherham Council is still in denial over its role in scandal, author says Last year it emerged 1,400 girls were exploited between 1997 and 2013 Figure is likely to be a conservative estimate of the true scale, report says Victims terrorised with guns and doused in petrol and threatened with fire Author of the report condemned 'blatant' failings by council's leadership 'Almost all' of the abusers were found to be part of Pakistani sex gangs Action blocked by political correctness as staff 'feared appearing racist' Council still handing out taxi licences without taking 'sufficient steps' to ensure drivers are 'fit and proper' Eric Pickles calls new elections and cabinet resigns to allow 'fresh start' By Martin Robinson and Steph Cockroft for MailOnline and James Tozer and Jaya Narain and Daniel Martin for the Daily Mail Published: 08:30, 4 February 2015 | Updated: 23:01, 4 February 2015 SHARE PICTURE +17 Damning report: Louise Casey, pictured, was asked to inspect Rotherham Council after the child abuse scandal emerged last year and said it is 'not fit for purpose' A criminal investigation has been launched today after a damning new report found Rotherham Council is 'not fit for purpose' and still 'in denial' about the 1,400 young girls who were abused in the town over 16 years. Investigators concluded girls as young as 11 were left to be abused by mainly Asian men between 1997 and 2013 because the council's staff and politicians feared being labelled racist. The council also had a 'deep-rooted' culture of sexism and bullying where it would 'shoot the messenger' and sought to force whistleblowers into silence or pay them off, it was said. Inspectors also found the council 'goes to some lengths to cover up information' and said that children in the town were still at risk of abuse. The report said South Yorkshire Police also failed in its role to protect victims, turning a blind eye to their plight and in many cases holding them responsible. Police were said to be aware that a victim was 'raped with a broken bottle' and some girls were 'ordered to kiss perpetrators' feet at gun point' but never took any action. In one case an officer told a victim: 'Don't worry- you aren't the first girl to be raped by XX and you won't be the last'. The council cabinet was forced to resign today after the shocking report laid bare their failings. Now its disgraced former Labour leadership face the threat of serious criminal charges over claims in the report that evidence of abuse was deliberately obscured over a number of years. Possible charges are understood to include misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice, both of which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The National Crime Agency has said it will examine a number of potentially criminal matters identified in the report. Today Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced new elections in 2016 to replace the council's 'wholly dysfunctional' political leadership and so the town can have a 'fresh start'. The devastating 160-page report by Louise Casey today revealed that: Reports of abuse were ignored by the council because it was 'in denial' about the crimes Staff and politicians failed to tackle abuse by Asian gangs 'for fear of being seen as racist' Senior councillors bullied and suppressed staff who highlighted that the abusers were ‘predominantly’ Pakistani Whistleblowers were silenced with pay-offs or 'bullied out of the organisation' if they refused to stay silent Officers ignored warnings from a youth project in town about habitual abuse of children in the town and then shut it down There was a 'a pervading culture of sexism, bullying and silencing debate' at the council The council failed children and is still failing them and has 'taken more care of its reputation than it has its of its most needy' Victims were denied support and justice as social services and police blamed each other for lack of action Even after the grooming scandal was exposed, a serving councillor told the new inquiry he believed the Asian men accused of grooming girls for sex had in reality been ‘fooled’ by girls aged 14 and 15 whose clothing and make-up made them ‘look more adult’ One whistleblower branded the council a ‘machine’ which ‘simply exists to cover up and destroy’ Louise Casey, who is director-general for troubled families at the government's Communities Department, was asked to investigate the council by Mr Pickles. The minister told MPs this afternoon he will impose early elections in 2016 on Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and proposes to send in commissioners to take over the responsibilities of the council's cabinet in the wake of her report. SHARE PICTURE +17 Intervention: Rotherham Borough Council, pictured, faces new elections and new management after the latest damning report over the town's child abuse scandal SHARE PICTURE +17 SHARE PICTURE +17 Clear-out: Former council leader Roger Stone (left) and chief executive Martin Kimber (right) left after the scandal emerged fully last year The NCA: 'Collectively we failed the children of Rotherham' In the hard-hitting report, she highlighted how serving councillors were still querying the mathematics behind the figure of abuse victims, with officials complaining the authority shouldn’t ‘roll over and accept the report’. Branding its culture one of ‘bullying, sexism, suppression and misplaced political correctness’, she said the authority – which in the past eight years has never had fewer than 50 Labour members – had a ‘deep-rooted’ culture of ‘suppressing bad news’ and ‘goes to some length to cover up information and to silence whistleblowers’. Whistleblowers who tried to raise concerns lost their jobs, and the report also said police officers often did not seem to believe the girls, their families or those who reported problems, and did not treat them as victims. One former police officer said: ‘They were running scared of the race issue… there is no doubt that in Rotherham, this has been a problem with Pakistani men for years and years. People were scared of being called racist.’ But it was Mrs Casey’s finding that Rotherham Council remained ‘in denial’ over the scandal – and the description of the 1,400 figure as a ‘conservative’ estimate – which spread political shockwaves yesterday and prompted a dramatic Commons statement in which Mr Pickles said ministers were effectively taking over the troubled authority. RELATED ARTICLESPrevious 1 Next Westminster child abuse inquiry AXED after seven months of... Minister faces quiz over sex attack claim: Senior politician... Prince Charles relied on Jimmy Savile as key aide who sat in... Margaret Thatcher tried to stop British diplomat linked to... Share this articleShare 4.7k shares Mr Pickles will send in five commissioners to ‘provide new leadership’, taking over the role of the ‘current wholly dysfunctional cabinet’. The commissioners will appoint the council’s chief executive and other senior officials. Mr Pickles said: ‘It is because the council is so seriously failing the people of Rotherham, and particularly some of the most vulnerable in that borough, that I am proposing to take this truly exceptional step. My aim will be to return these responsibilities to local democratic control as rapidly as possible.’ A source close to the Communities Secretary said: ‘In terms of scope and scale, this is unprecedented.’ It is expected Mr Pickles will call local elections in the town early next year. Rotherham Council has 14 days to respond, after which the commissioners will be appointed. During the Commons debate, Ukip MP Mark Reckless suggested that Labour’s single-party rule in Rotherham had contributed to the abuse – and said it was only since last year’s election of ten Ukip councillors that there had been any opposition at all. KEY FINDINGS OF INVESTIGATION INTO ROTHERHAM COUNCILA council in denial about serious and on-going safeguarding failures An archaic culture of sexism, bullying and discomfort around race Failure to address past weaknesses, in particular in Children's Social Care Weak and ineffective arrangements for taxi licensing which leave the public at risk Ineffective leadership and management, including political leadership No shared vision, a partial management team and ineffective liaisons with partners A culture of covering up uncomfortable truths, silencing whistleblowers and paying off staff rather than dealing with difficult issues ‘Even if single-party Labour control may not have caused what happened, it did allow it,’ he said. It came as it emerged a corrupt police officer and two local politicians - including one serving councillor - have today been accused of having sex with abuse victims. The abuse scandal in Rotherham is considered the worst in Britain's history with experts estimating that 1,400 girls fell into the clutches of paedophiles. Many of the victims, often from children's homes or troubled backgrounds, were plied with alcohol and drugs before being used for sex or pimped to others. 'Almost all' of the perpetrators are believed to be part of predatory Pakistani gangs, with victims claiming they were at times 'raped once a day' for many years, an inquiry by Professor Alexis Jay found last year. The controversy that followed the publication of the Jay Report led to Rotherham council leader Roger Stone leaving his post. The most high profile resignation was that of South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright, who was the Rotherham councillor overseeing children's services between 2005 and 2010. Both men refused to be interviewed by Louise Casey. Today, in her inspection report, Ms Casey said: 'Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) is not fit for purpose. 'The council's culture is unhealthy: bullying, sexism, suppression and misplaced "political correctness" have cemented its failures. The council is currently incapable of tackling its weaknesses, without a sustained intervention.' Ms Casey fully endorsed the findings of Professor Alexis Jay's report which caused huge controversy when it was published in August last year. She said the council 'demonstrates a resolute denial of what has happened in the borough'. SHARE PICTURE +17 Fresh start: Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles announced new elections to replace the council's 'wholly dysfunctional' political leadership Ms Casey said her inspection team found 'a council in denial about serious and on-going safeguarding failures' and 'an archaic culture of sexism, bullying and discomfort around race'. She said it had failed to address past weaknesses in children's care and had 'ineffective leadership and management, including political leadership'. The report highlighted 'a culture of covering up uncomfortable truths, silencing whistleblowers and paying off staff rather than dealing with difficult issues.' It said: 'RMBC goes to some length to cover up information and to silence whistleblowers.' Ms Casey said in her report: 'Terrible things happened in Rotherham and on a significant scale. New complaints: Police and politicians have been accused of having sex with abuse victims in Rotherham. Girls like Katie (pictured) were among 1,400 girls abused over 16 years 'Children were sexually exploited by men who came largely from the Pakistani heritage community. 'Not enough was done to acknowledge this, to stop it happening, to protect children, to support victims and to apprehend perpetrators.' She said: 'Upon arriving in Rotherham, these I thought were the uncontested facts. My job was to conduct an inspection and decide whether the council was now fit for purpose. However this was not the situation I encountered when I reached Rotherham. 'Instead, I found a council in denial. They denied that there had been a problem, or if there had been, that it was as big as was said. If there was a problem they certainly were not told - it was someone else's job. They were no worse than anyone else. They had won awards. The media were out to get them.' After the report was published, campaign groups said it was a 'welcome stop' towards recognising the council's current and historic failures. Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said: 'Louise Casey's report into the abject failure of Rotherham council to protect their most vulnerable children only serves to highlight why we need immediate action - she has concluded the council is not fit for purpose. 'This shocking report is a welcome step towards recognising the myriad of past and present failures and ensuring this sort of abuse can never happen again. 'While bringing those responsible for such a dereliction of duty to justice, we cannot forget the reality that exploitation is ongoing in other areas of the country.' She also called for an inquiry, saying: 'In light of this, 4Children today reaffirms its previous call for a time limited inquiry, led by the Prime Minister, into child sexual exploitation across the UK, recognising the scale and importance of the issue, so that ongoing child sexual exploitation can be addressed without delay. 'Justice Lowell Goddard's inquiry is vital, but must not detract from the urgency of preventing further abuse of vulnerable children.' SHARE PICTURE +17 Scandal: A report by Professor Alexis Jay last August revealed how some 1,400 vulnerable girls had been subjected to rape, violence and trafficking by gangs of mainly Asian men in Rotherham, pictured, between 1997 and 2013 Karen Froggatt, locality director for the charity Victim Support, added: 'Six months ago, when the horrific extent of the child abuse in Rotherham was revealed, we said "never again". 'As a charity that is supporting the survivors of that abuse, I am shocked this new report says children in Rotherham are still at risk because the council is not "fit for purpose". 'We are independent of the police, the council and the other agencies found to be wanting by these inquiries. AUTHOR OF THE DAMNING REPORT Louise Casey, the head of the government's troubled families unit since 2011, is regarded as one of the toughest and most experienced civil servants and is known for her outspoken views. The 49-year-old made her reputation working for Tony Blair on anti-social behaviour issues, but has also conducted wider inquiries for government into issues such as the treatment of victims in the criminal justice system. She also worked with the government in the aftermath of the riots in 2011 and previously headed up the cross-government Respect Task Force, tackling anti-social behaviour. She also served as deputy director of Shelter, the homelessness charity, between 1992 and 1999. Ms Casey, who was born in Portsmouth, was awarded the Companion of the Order of Bath (CB) in 2008. 'We will continue to work with survivors of child exploitation and abuse, and we are here to listen to anyone concerned about a child or young person they suspect is being groomed.' In the report, Ms Casey also devoted a whole section to the council's 'denial' of the problem - even highlighting its scepticism about the findings of the Jay Report itself. She said: 'When inspectors commenced work in Rotherham, we were struck by the overwhelming denial of what Professor Jay set out in her report. This attitude was so prevalent that we had to go back through many of the aspects of her work in order to satisfy ourselves that the council had no grounds upon which further action could be delayed.' And she said: 'When asked, 70 per cent of the current Rotherham councillors we spoke to (including those in the Cabinet) disputed Professor Jay's findings.' Ms Casey also criticised many of those interviewed for doubting the 1,400 figure highlighted in the Jay Report as at least the number of children involved. She said: 'We have concluded that the 1,400 figure is a conservative one and that RMBC and South Yorkshire Police (where some also dispute the figures) would do better to concentrate on taking effective action rather than seeking to continue a debate about the numbers.' Ms Casey said the council 'could not deal sensibly' with the issue of race. 'Indeed, some councillors held racist or wholly outdated or inappropriate views,' she added. 'Many of these views were known about but not challenged.' Ms Casey added: 'Frontline staff were clearly anxious about being branded racist. 'Whether there was an element of self-censorship or otherwise, the impact of this was clear. The council was not dealing with a serious problem right before its eyes. SHARE PICTURE +17 Ms Casey said the suppression of 'uncomfortable issues' had prevented 'discussion and effective action' (file picture) RESOLUTE DENIAL: ROTHERHAM COUNCIL SILENCED WHISTLEBLOWERS AND COVERED UP 'UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS' The shocking report found that Rotherham councillors demonstrated a 'resolute denial' of what has happened - even after the damning Jay Report revealed the extent of the sex abuse scandal. Louise Casey said her inspection team found 'a council in denial about serious and on-going safeguarding failures' as well as a 'culture of covering up uncomfortable truths'. She also claimed the council attempted to 'silence whistleblowers and pay off staff' rather than 'dealing with difficult issues'. The report reads: 'RMBC goes to some length to cover up information and to silence whistleblowers. They (councillors) denied that there had been a problem, or if there had been, that it was as big as was said. 'If there was a problem they certainly were not told - it was someone else's job. They were no worse than anyone else. They had won awards. The media were out to get them.' The report described how there was an 'unhealthy climate' of 'shoot the messenger' where people 'feared to speak out because they had seen the consequences of doing so for others'. One whistleblower told the inspectors that no-one would 'dare' use the whistleblowing policy because it 'would come back to bite them in the backside and they would be bullied out of the organisation'. Another said they were 'proud' to have blown the whistle, despite it costing 'my job and my career'. They said: 'I stepped forward on behalf of young people … It cost me my job and my career. I feel it was worth it. I am proud to have done so despite the cost to my health and financial situation… the machine at RMBC doesn’t care, won’t listen and simply exists to cover up and destroy.' One concerned member of staff said threats had been made towards staff who did not toe the line, while another 'feared for reprisals' if they came forward with information. Inspectors found that, in two cases involving whistleblowers, officers considered the risk of potential harm to children as secondary to hitting targets or avoiding uncomfortable press coverage. The report also highlighted how staff and councillors were dubious about the findings of the Jay Report itself, with some saying they were 'bruised' by its publication. One councillor claimed the accusations were 'biased', 'exaggerated' and motivated by politics. She said: 'When inspectors commenced work in Rotherham, we were struck by the overwhelming denial of what Professor Jay set out in her report. She added: 'When asked, 70 per cent of the current Rotherham councillors we spoke to (including those in the Cabinet) disputed Professor Jay's findings.' 'Certainly, this was not limited to frontline officers. There was also a clear perception among senior officers that the ethnic dimension of CSE in Rotherham was taboo.' She said: 'Rotherham's suppression of these uncomfortable issues and its fear of being branded racist has done a disservice to the Pakistani heritage community as well as the wider community. It has prevented discussion and effective action to tackle the problem. 'This has allowed perpetrators to remain at large, has let victims down and, perversely, has allowed the far right to try and exploit the situation. 'These may have been unintended consequences but the impact remains the same and reaches into the present day.' Rotherham's suppression of these uncomfortable issues and its fear of being branded racist has done a disservice to the Pakistani heritage community as well as the wider community Louise Casey Commenting on the published report, Birmingham City Council chief executive Mark Rogers, who also represents 1,300 chief executives and senior strategic managers as part of Solace, said: 'Today's report makes upsetting and troubling reading. 'For too long, key agencies in Rotherham did not properly safeguard vulnerable children in the borough. Abuse was not tackled and concerns were ignored or even suppressed. 'The Society is committed to playing its part in tackling the scourge of Child Sexual Exploitation. 'To do this, we must always listen to children, take their concerns seriously and act upon them. 'We must also be clear that children can never consent to their own abuse. Anyone who does not understand these principles has no place holding a position of responsibility and authority.' He added: 'In these exceptional circumstances, it is right that the Government takes the intervention steps it has set out.' Rotherham MP Sarah Champion said the report was ‘disgusting’, adding that every page had a ‘new horror on it’. And John Mann, the Labour MP for Bassetlaw who called for Rotherham to be taken over last year, said: ‘This is without any question the tip of the iceberg. ‘There are more Rotherhams and more will come to light. The same problem has been going on across the country, with people ignoring children at risk.’ Shocking attitude of current Rotherham councillor who blamed teenage abuse victims for wearing 'modern dress and make-up' and 'fooling' Asian men A serving Rotherham councillor suggested teenage victims were to blame for their own exploitation because their 'modern dress' and make-up 'fooled' Asian men. According to the report, the unnamed councillor - who still sits on Rotherham Council - said the girls tricked their abusers into thinking they were adults by 'the way they make up'. The shocking comments were highlighted in the report as an example of a 'wholly outdated' attitude which meant councillors could not deal 'sensibly' with the issue. The councillor had also added that British Asians felt they had been 'hit' by Jay and suggested the lack of arrests could mean they had been wrongly targetted. The unnamed councillor said: 'The girls, the way they dress, they don’t look 14-15 years old, the way they make up – they look more adult. 'They go into clubs, get served in bars, It’s very difficult for me, very modern dress…..They have been fooled definitely [men in Asian Community]'. They added: 'The British Asians. If you have identified so many perpetrators, why have there been so little arrests? They feel British Asians have been hit by Jay.' In a section entitled The 'Race Issue', Ms Casey described how inspectors heard a 'range of views' from interviewees 'that caused concern' in regards to race and culture. She said the 'racist, wholly outdated or inappropriate views' expressed by councillors in the report reinforced the conclusion that they 'could not deal sensibly with the issue.' VICTIM: NOBODY TOOK ME SERIOUSLY BUT THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING ON SHARE PICTURE +17 Abuser: Umar Razaq served less than a year One victim of the scandal, Lizzie – who was just 12 when she was groomed – said she was glad the council has resigned and condemned them for allowing the abuse to take place. Her abuser, Umar Razaq, served less than a year despite the depravity of his crimes, and later boasted of ‘living the high life’ while on a ‘holiday of a lifetime’. After being released from prison, Razaq allegedly stalked Lizzie, not her real name, after ‘following’ her boyfriend on Facebook, which allowed him to look at their updates. She says she told police and Rotherham Council about it but they ‘weren’t bothered’. Lizzie said: ‘I’m pleased they have all resigned, that they’ve all gone. They were a total waste of time and didn’t do the job they were meant to. ‘They were worse than useless because they were meant to be running the place, protecting us and they were all part of the problem. They should have gone years ago – it would have saved a lot of trouble.’ She said: ‘I told South Yorkshire Police what he was doing and how scared I was but no one seemed to care. The police knew exactly what was going on months ago but none of them were bothered.’ Lizzie added: ‘Some of those councillors were involved in covering it up. They were to blame for it going on and on. It’s shocking they didn’t go years ago. Now I’m left trying to get on with my life. I’m trying to put it all behind me. I tried counselling – that was rubbish. It’s hard moving on.’ Lizzie was 12 and living with her grandmother in Rotherham when she first came across Razaq in January 2008. He was 22 – ten years her senior – but plied her with cigarettes and alcohol, and she eventually started to meet him in the town centre. She said: ‘Umar treated me like a princess and said my family did not love me and didn’t want me. He got my trust then did horrible things to me. I was only a little girl when I was raped for the first time. Five men sexually abused me, in alleyways, parks, on playing fields and even in cars.’ Another victim, Gemma (not her real name), said the men who abused her were still free and had faced no legal action for the crimes they committed. She said: ‘It’s still going, if not worse because now they’re having to hide it more. I’m still seeing my abusers driving young girls in cars – they’re untouchable. We’ve had no arrests, no charges, evidence is still being lost.’ Another victim, Jessica, slammed the decision to shut down Risky Business – the youth service working directly with victims of child sex abuse in Rotherham. She said: ‘It shouldn’t have been shut down because that was an agency that was working with them and trying to tackle the situation.’ SHARE PICTURE +17 One victim, Lizzie – who was just 12 when she was groomed – said she was glad the council had resigned Political correctness and fear of appearing racist stopped council speaking out against Pakistani community The sexual abuse of about 1,400 children at the hands of Asian men went largely unreported for 16 years because staff feared they would be seen as racist, the report said today. Children as young as 11 were trafficked, beaten, and raped by large numbers of men between 1997 and 2013 but victims were denied justice because of misplaced 'political correctness', it was said. One current council officer said politicians 'wanted to use any other word than Asian males. They were terrified of [the impact on] community cohesion'. SHARE PICTURE +17 Political correctness: There were fears that taking to the Asian community to task over the abuse of girls in Rotherham would disturb community cohesion and staff were 'mindful' of being called racist Another public servant told investigators: 'My experience of council as it was and is – Asian men very powerful, and the white British are very mindful of racism and frightened of racism allegations so there is no robust challenge. They had massive influence in the town'. The report said: 'Frontline staff were clearly anxious about being branded racist. 'Whether there was an element of self-censorship or otherwise, the impact of this was clear. The council was not dealing with a serious problem right before its eyes. 'Certainly, this was not limited to frontline officers. There was also a clear perception among senior officers that the ethnic dimension of CSE in Rotherham was taboo.' She said: 'Rotherham's suppression of these uncomfortable issues and its fear of being branded racist has done a disservice to the Pakistani heritage community as well as the wider community. It has prevented discussion and effective action to tackle the problem. 'This has allowed perpetrators to remain at large, has let victims down and, perversely, has allowed the far right to try and exploit the situation. 'These may have been unintended consequences but the impact remains the same and reaches into the present day.' Failures of South Yorkshire Police who did not believe victims and even referred to them as 'little slags' SHARE PICTURE +17 Police in Rotherham refused to believe victims and sometimes even blamed them for the abuse calling them 'little slags', the report said. Investigators also found that South Yorkshire Police were guilty of having a 'phenomenally low conviction rate' which allowed perpetrators to freely abuse up to 1,400 girls in 16 years. Between 1997 and 2013 – the period covered by Professor Jay – there were five convictions of men sexually exploiting girls and young women. South Yorkshire's chief constable David Crompton, right, has been under huge pressure to explain his force's attitude towards child sex exploitation over the last 15 years. One officer told investigators: 'The girls were blamed for a lot of what happened. It's unbelievable and key to why it wasn't taken seriously as an issue. Another witness said: 'There was no awareness. The view was that they were little slags. They didn't understand the situation, and thought that the girls were happy, or complicit in it. The sense was that if there had been any offence it had been by the girls, for luring the men in.' On at least one occasion children as young as 13 or 14 were accused by officers of consenting to sex, even though the age of consent in the UK is 16. Today's report said: 'There were numerous occasions in which girls were not believed. 'They were threatened with wasting police time, they were told they had consented to sex and, on occasion, they were arrested at the scene of a crime, rather than the perpetrators. 'Police did not understand the terror which many victims lived in and their consequent fear of testifying and their anxiety over whether police could protect them. Some of the crimes we were made aware of included rape with a broken bottle and girls being ordered to kiss perpetrators' feet at gun point.' The report said that police were inactive in many cases put extreme pressure on vulnerable children to testify against the men who abused them and threatened their lives. One witness said: 'They believed that they could not be protected. Some of the police actions suggested they were right'.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11390001/Rotherham-child-sex-abuse-scandal-council-not-fit-for-purpose.html Rotherham Council's leadership resigns following damning child sex abuse report Rotherham council's ruling Labour cabinet announces its mass resignation following the publication of a damning independent report into child sexual exploitation in the town Rotherham, where around 1,400 children were sexually abused over 16 years Photo: EPA By Martin Evans, Crime Correspondent 3:14PM GMT 04 Feb 2015 Rotherham Council's entire leadership has resigned following the publication of a damning report into the town's child sexual exploitation scandal. An independent report, ordered by Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, concluded that the local authority was "not fit for purpose" after finding it has a culture of "bullying, sexism, suppression and misplaced 'political correctness"'. Following the publication of the report, which was written by Louise Casey, Rotherham Council's ruling Labour cabinet issued a statement annoucing the entire leadership was stepping down. The statement said: "As a Cabinet, whatever the details, as the political leadership of the council we must take responsibility. We therefore announce our intention to resign our positions as soon as transitional arrangements can be put in place." Rotherham Council's leadership resigns following damning child sex a...http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11390001/Rotherham-... 1 of 204/02/2015 20:21 Moments after the resignations were announced, Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles announced that the "wholly dysfunctional" council leadership was to be replaced by Government Commissioners. He also said he would order early elections in 2016 for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. In a statement to MPs he said: "My proposals are designed to give the council the new start it needs and to put an immediate end to the council's on-going service and governance failure. "I am seeking to make an order under the Local Government Act 2000 to move Rotherham council to all out elections in 2016 and every fourth year thereafter. "The 2016 elections will be an opportunity for the people of Rotherham to renew the membership of their council and elect those they have confidence in." He added: "In the immediate term, I am minded to appoint commissioners who will provide new leadership taking over the roles of the currently wholly dysfunctional cabinet. "I am proposing they will therefore initially exercise all the functions currently exercised by the cabinet - that is all the council's executive functions." In addition the National Crime Agency (NCA) announced its ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham was to be extended in the light of Miss Casey's findings. The NCA said it will "examine a number of potentially criminal matters identified during a recent inspection of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council". In a statement the NCA said: "Communities and Local Government Minister Eric Pickles today informed Parliament of the outcome of an inspection conducted by a team led by Louise Casey. A number of matters have been referred to Operation Stovewood as they potentially fall within its terms of reference. "It would not be appropriate to comment in detail about the matters referred until investigators have an opportunity to analyse the information, which they will do as part of phase one of the investigation. "The NCA can confirm that the matters referred are allegations of potential criminal behaviour. Operation Stovewood is not investigating any misconduct matters." © Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2015

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/three-west-midlands-police-officers-8558570 Three West Midlands Police officers sexually exploited underage girls06:30, 2 February 2015 By Jeanette Oldham Among 22 cases where cops or staff accused of abusing their position of authority to prey on the public 2630 Shares Share Tweet +1 Email West Midlands Police Three West Midlands Police officers abused their position of authority by sexually exploiting underage children in the last two years. The predators in uniform were sacked or resigned after being convicted at court for targeting a 15-year-old and two 14-year-olds. Meanwhile, other officers from the force have been dismissed or disciplined for a range of offences or conduct relating to sexual exploitation of members of the public. Yet one cop was allowed to simply resign after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a 21-year-old suspect who was on bail. Another faced only ‘management action’ after being accused of flirting with a domestic violence victim. West Midlands Police has also confirmed there are currently eight live investigations into claims officers and/or staff may have abused their positions of authority by sexual exploitation. The shocking details were revealed after a Freedom of Information request by the Mail to the force. We had asked for details of all cases of abuse of position of authority by sexual exploitation for 2012 to 2014. After initially insisting it could not provide the information, the force eventually released data which showed 13 police officers and one civilian staff member had been accused of abuse of authority through sexual exploitation during that period. All were white. The force refused to release details of the eight other live cases. The most serious cases from 2012 saw the three police officers charged and convicted at court after targeting underage children. One resigned after inappropriate sexual contact by text with a 15-year-old, while a second was said to have ‘retired/resigned’ after inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity. The latter had been facing a discreditable conduct investigation over the alleged abuse of the 14-year-old victim. The third officer was dismissed after “sexually assaulting a minor over a sustained period’’, who was also just 14-years-old. Lloyd House, the West Midlands Police HQ The Freedom of Information response also detailed other cases of abuse of power by sexual exploitation by West Midlands Police officers and staff. One officer facing a discreditable conduct complaint in 2012 was alleged to have had a sexual relationship with a 21-year-old who was on bail. The cop resigned, bringing the investigation to a close. The same year an officer was dismissed after entering into a relationship with a ‘vulnerable’ member of the public, age unknown, while another cop was sacked after being accused of a sexual assault in the workplace. Also in 2012, another officer faced management action - advice about their conduct, the lowest form of disciplinary sanction - after being accused of making sexual suggestions to a member of the public, aged 30. In 2013, the force sacked an officer who had been accused of breaching ‘honesty and integrity’ rules after he was alleged to have ‘‘lied to his supervisors to leave work early to have sex with a vulnerable female’’, who was aged 30. The same year management action was taken against one officer after text messages showed he may have entered into an ‘‘inappropriate’’ relationship with a 27-year-old victim. The force also took management action against another officer in 2014, who was accused of behaving inappropriately by flirting with a 34-year-old domestic violence victim. Of the four remaining cases, the force ruled there was no case to answer against an officer accused of sexually discriminatory behaviour, or that of a staff member accused of sexually harassing a member of the public. A complaint was not upheld against an officer accused of acting inappropriately towards a complainant and allegations against another officer that they had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a member of the public was subject of a ‘disapplication’ - stopped by the force before an investigation began. Last week it was revealed a report prepared by the former Serious Organised Crime Agency for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) had warned the number of police officers exploiting crime victims and witnesses for sex was increasing. The nationwide investigation, compiled in 2013 and based on three years of intelligence, said officers abusing their positions for ‘sexual gratification’ was ‘a major concern’. The findings formed part of a new report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) which showed that of 4,611 investigations nationally into alleged abuse of power, 2,891 did not lead to a prosecution or internal disciplinary action. And in the 12 months to March 31 in 2014, a total of 406 officers and police staff were investigated for sexual misconduct, a four per cent rise on the previous year. One in six were allowed to retire or resign and around 40 per cent faced no further action. The report added that the 43 police forces in England and Wales had done much to tackle corruption, but more proactive measures were needed to improve internal reporting systems, as half of all officers did not believe they were confidential enough. Michael Cunningham, from HMIC HMIC inspector Mike Cunningham said he wanted to see “a more proactive approach by police leaders to identify officers likely to conduct themselves in this way and put preventative measures in their way. They have to be more vigilant. It is not decreasing and remains a significant problem. “Police officers were quick to tell us that they see corrupt colleagues as a betrayal of the vast majority who are honourable, decent and hard-working.” Jacqui Cheer of the Association of Chief Police Officers stressed corruption was “neither endemic nor widespread” and added: “However, the actions of a few corrupt officers can corrode the reputation of the vast majority who work hard every day to protect the public. “We will continue to improve our approach so that those who are not fit to be in the police are held to account and removed.” In 2012 the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Acpo published a report which said forces should make the prevention, detection and investigation of officers abusing their powers for sexual exploitation a priority. Their joint report followed the case of Northumbria police constable Stephen Mitchell, 43, who was jailed for life in January 2011 for carrying out sex attacks on vulnerable women, including prostitutes while on duty. Other high-profile cases include South Wales Police family liaison officer Detective Constable Jeffrey Davies, who was jailed for three years in 2013 for sexually assaulting victims of domestic abuse who he was supposed to be looking after. West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council are putting extra resources into tackling child sexual exploitation, after being criticised for failing vulnerable youngsters, including some thought to have fallen victim to on-street grooming gangs. Yet the force previously controversially refused to release pictures of ten Birmingham men named in court as having sexually exploiting a 17-year-old girl. Court injunctions have now banned the men, all Asian, from approaching young girls. High Court judge Mr Justice Keehan said police submissions that their safety would be at risk if their pictures were released “made no sense at all” – with the evidence provided “at best speculative.” WARWICKSHIRE POLICE Last year the force sacked a police staff member for discreditable conduct relating to sexual exploitation of a 35-year-old member of the public. The force did not disclose the victim’s age. In 2013 the force investigated an officer and a civilian employee, both over allegations of sexual misconduct involving members of the public. One of the cases was dealt with by an intervention meeting by the anti-corruption unit, the other was filed with ‘no findings of misconduct’. STAFFORDSHIRE POLICE Four officers and staff were investigated for abuse of authority by sexual exploitation in 2012 and 2013. Figures were not disclosed for 2014. In 2012 one officer was investigated for discreditable conduct involving a member of the public whose age was not recorded. Investigations found there was a ‘case to answer’; the officer resigned. The following year two officers and one civilian member of staff were investigated for discreditable conduct relating to abuse of authority by sexual exploitation. A 55-year-old police officer was found to have a case to answer. He too was said to have retired/resigned. The force was unable to provide an age for the victim. A second police officer was found to have no case to answer over allegations they sexually exploited three women, two aged 35 and another aged 44. A civilian staff member was also exonerated over allegations of discreditable conduct involving a member of the public, whose age was not recorded by the force. WEST MERCIA Six West Mercia Police officers and staff were investigated for abuse of authority by sexual exploitation in 2012 and two in 2013. The force refused to disclose the number for 2014.Among those investigated in 2012 was an officer who was subsequently dismissed for ‘discreditable conduct/other sexual conduct’ involving three members of the public aged 28, 40 and 42.In the same year the force filed as ‘intelligence only’ an allegation of discreditable conduct against a civilian member of staff. The age of the victim was not recorded. In 2013 an officer was sacked and subjected to criminal proceedings over allegations of sexual misconduct involving two members of the public, aged 43 and 37.

WGJK, WGJKF The evidence does suggests that the attempted murder on our fellow Sikh was by a Moslem? https://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Zak-Ali/100007935228575 The authorities have been someone what economical with the truth so far rather like The Sikh Wisconsin attack in 2012. Our Sangat witnesses mentions time and time again multiple gunmen and only a blind shooter(s) would miss this sign?

WGJK, WGJKF, What we need to do is to donate to the victim, to show a we stand united and at this time our fellow Sikh should not be burdened by any costs related to the incident, this after all is Sewa as per our Guru's message. Sikhs are a small community in the UK, please can someone step forward from/for that family and set up a donations program through a website or Gurdwara or from Sikh Awareness Society, I'm ready to donate now. The Khalsa Reigns Supreme! Jeevan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-30710777 Europe 7 January 2015 Last updated at 17:45 Charlie Hebdo: Gun attack on French magazine kills 12Gunmen have shot dead 12 people at the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in an apparent militant Islamist attack. Four of the magazine's well-known cartoonists, including its editor, were among those killed, as well as two police officers. A major police operation is under way to find three gunmen who fled by car. President Francois Hollande said there was no doubt it had been a terrorist attack "of exceptional barbarity". It is believed to be the deadliest attack in France since 1961, when right-wingers who wanted to keep Algeria French bombed a train, killing 28 people. The masked attackers opened fire with assault rifles in the office and exchanged shots with police in the street outside before escaping by car. They later abandoned the car in Rue de Meaux, northern Paris, where they hijacked a second car. Death threatsWitnesses said they heard the gunmen shouting "We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad" and "God is Great" in Arabic ("Allahu Akbar"). The number of attackers was initially reported to be two, but French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve later said security services were hunting three "criminals". He said that Paris had been placed on the highest alert. Charlie Hebdo editor Stephane Charbonnier, 47, had received death threats in the past and was living under police protection. French media have named the three other cartoonists killed in the attack as Cabu, Tignous and Wolinski, as well as Charlie Hebdo contributor and French economist Bernard Maris. The attack took place during the magazine's daily editorial meeting. At least four people were critically wounded in the attack. The satirical weekly has courted controversy in the past with its irreverent take on news and current affairs. It was firebombed in November 2011 a day after it carried a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. Global condemnationThe latest tweet on Charlie Hebdo's account was a cartoon of the Islamic State militant group leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Charlie Hebdo's website, which went offline during the attack, is showing the single image of "Je suis Charlie" ("I am Charlie) on a black banner, referring to a hashtag that is trending on Twitter in solidarity with the victims. People had been "murdered in a cowardly manner", President Hollande told reporters at the scene. "We are threatened because we are a country of liberty," he added, appealing for national unity. French government officials are holding an emergency meeting, and President Hollande is due to give a televised address later. US President Barack Obama has condemned the "horrific shooting", offering to provide any assistance needed "to help bring these terrorists to justice". UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: "It was a horrendous, unjustifiable and cold-blooded crime. It was also a direct assault on a cornerstone of democracy, on the media and on freedom of expression." UK Prime Minister David Cameron said in a tweet: "The murders in Paris are sickening. We stand with the French people in the fight against terror and defending the freedom of the press." The Arab League and Al-Azhar mosque, Egypt's top Islamic institution, have also condemned the attack. Analysis: Hugh Schofield, BBC News, Paris Charlie Hebdo is part of a venerable tradition in French journalism going back to the scandal sheets that denounced Marie-Antoinette in the run-up to the French Revolution. The tradition combines left-wing radicalism with a provocative scurrility that often borders on the obscene. Its decision to mock the Prophet Muhammad in 2011 was entirely consistent with its historic raison d'etre. The paper has never sold in enormous numbers - and for 10 years from 1981, it ceased publication for lack of resources. But with its garish front-page cartoons and incendiary headlines, it is an unmissable staple of newspaper kiosks and railway station booksellers. Charlie Hebdo and its satirical role Live updates 'Blood everywhere'Footage shot by an eyewitness outside the magazine's office shows two armed men dressed in black approach a wounded police officer lying on a pavement. One of the men shoots the officer in the head, before both men are seen running back towards a black vehicle and driving away. Eyewitnesses described seeing two black-hooded men entering the building carrying Kalashnikovs, with reports of up to 50 shots fired. Gilles Boulanger, who works in the same building as the office, told French TV channel Itele: "There were several shots heard in the building from automatic weapons firing in all directions. So then we looked out of the window and saw the shooting was on Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, with the police. It was really upsetting. You'd think it was a war zone." Wandrille Lanos, a TV reporter who works across the road, was one of the first people to enter the Charlie Hebdo office after the attack. "As we progressed into the office, we saw that the number of casualties was very high. There was a lot of people dead on the floor, and there was blood everywhere," he told the BBC. After the attack, which occurred at about 10:30 GMT, police warned French media outlets to be on alert and pay attention to security. The country was already on the alert for Islamist militant attacks after several incidents just before Christmas. Cars were driven at shoppers in two cities, Dijon and Nantes, and police were attacked by a man wielding a knife in Tours. While the French government denied the attacks were linked, it announced plans to further raise security in public spaces, including the deployment of about 300 soldiers. Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, which published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in 2005 sparking riots in Muslim countries, says it has stepped up security in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack. More Europe stories Eurozone slips into deflationInflation in the eurozone turns negative, official figures show, with prices in December down 0.2% year-on-year, driven lower by falling oil costs. EU tops Cameron-Merkel talks agenda Turkey Marxists claim bomb attack Copyright © 2015 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

Sorry we as Sikhs do not have a similar culture with Punjabis from Lahore or Faislabad. We have different religions, Sikhs do not practice polygamy, we do not codone the eating of flesh, our religion does not believe in forced conversions, we have respect for other religions, our women have equal rights, Sikhs as an ethic group have the highest level of achievements in terms of education, career, home ownership with the highest level of employment. Sikhs have the lowest incidences of engaging in crime, mental health issues, unemployment. In major conflicts around the world traditionally Sikhs have taken the righteous side i.e. fighting Nazi Germany, fighting Imperialist Japan, take at a look at Sikh Regiments around the world as peace keeping soldiers in many conflicts in the world. When India excels Sikhs will be at the forefront and this has been so since the time of Guru Nanak Ji. If anything Sikhs have more in common with the old European middle classes, progressive and libertarian with the family and religion at the centre of their upbringing and values. It is only with the corrupting influence of the Frankfurt Insitute that Europe is losing it's values when it comes to family and religion. I could go on but there is not a server in the world that can hold the amount of data on how great the Sikhs are :-)

I have now had a chance to view the Oxford Union presentation by Tommy Robinson. Tommy Robinson raises a number of valid points. Islamists extremists were able to set fire to poppies at a public demonstration. This is a clear case of the Police failing to do their job properly in ensuring the public were in no danger and then failed to apprehend the culprits who posed that danger to the public. The British Police unfortunately has become politicised and can no longer be judged to be fair, impartial and even truthful. A sad day indeed where cowardice has won in the face of political correctness. In an interview in 2010 on the Newsnight (BBC current affairs programme) Tommy Robinson raised the issue of child grooming. Four years later Tommy Robinson was proven right as well as our own Sikh Awareness Society by the issuing of the Rotherham Report into Child Grooming by Professor Jay. Apart from Andrew Norfolk why did the British media turn a blind eye to the most heinous crime of paedophilia? http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham Why has Anjem Choudhary not been arrested and charged for inciting terrorism – a double agent of MI5 no doubt? http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-britain-islamist-extremist-anjem-choudary-proves-elusive/2014/10/11/eb731514-4e43-11e4-8c24-487e92bc997b_story.html There is more points I can raise but please judge for yourself.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2883856/Paedophile-policeman-raped-girl-grooming-decade-allowed-job-despite-caught-taking-pictures-young-girls-skirts.html DailyMail Monday, Dec 22nd 2014 0AM 10°C 3AM 10°C 5-Day Forecast Paedophile policeman who raped girl after grooming her for a decade was allowed to keep his job despite being caught taking pictures up young girls' skirtsNick Lidstone, 55, worked for Cambridgeshire Police for over 30 years He was arrested eight years ago for taking 'up-skirt' photos of children But was not charged with sexual offence and was allowed to remain in job Went on to groom a girl from the age of nine before raping her as an adult He exposed himself, showed her pornography and took indecent photos It was not until he admitted the abuse last month that he was dismissed Has now been jailed for 14 years and put on sex offenders' register for life By Keiligh Baker for MailOnline Published: 17:29, 22 December 2014 | Updated: 19:19, 22 December 2014 248 shares 39 View comments +2 Disgraced Cambridgeshire Police sergeant Nick Lidstone, 55, was allowed to keep his job despite being arrested for taking photographs of children eight years ago - he went on to groom a girl A paedophile police officer who groomed his victim for more than a decade had been allowed to keep his job - despite being caught taking photographs of children eight years ago. Disgraced Cambridgeshire Police sergeant Nick Lidstone, 55, of Barrington, Cambridgeshire admitted a series of rapes and child sex attacks relating to one victim at Norwich Crown Court last month. But it emerged today Lidstone was arrested eight years ago for taking 'up-skirt' pictures of children with a spy pen in a branch of Tesco in Royston, Hertfordshire. At the time he was given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to a minor public order offence at North and East Hertfordshire Magistrates' Court in 2005 - but all of his most serious abuse happened after this offence. Because he was not charged with a sexual offence, his name was not placed on the sex offenders' register. He was allowed to keep his job and it was not until he admitted abusing a girl in court last month that he was dismissed from his role at the force's headquarters. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, reported the years of abuse - which culminated in being raped as an adult - earlier this year. A court heard Lidstone's abuse of the girl escalated and all of the most serious attacks happened after his arrest for the photos. Sentencing him to 14 and a half years in prison, Judge Anthony Bate said he had used his victim as a 'sexual toy'. He placed Lidstone on the sex offenders' register for life. He said: 'You have one previous conviction which has two worrying aspects: firstly, the nature of the offence and secondly, the fact you were convicted under public order legislation when quite clearly these were serious sexual offences. 'You had armed yourself with a covert camera and were found taking pictures of children. Why on earth you were not charged under the sexual offences act, I do not know. 'Whoever took that decision, it allowed you to carry on as a police officer.' The judge added that because he was convicted of a public order offence, nobody had looked more closely at Lidstone's relationship with children and a chance to detect his abuse was missed. +2 Lidstone was jailed after admitting a series of rapes and child sex attacks at Norwich Crown Court (pictured) Despite undergoing therapy to address his sexual deviancy, Lidstone carried on abusing his victim, who suffered significant psychological harm. Judge Bate said that Lidstone's apparent cooperation with therapy showed how he was able to 'manipulate experts' into believing he had an ordinary sex life. Prosecutor Andrew Shaw said the pictures taken in 2005 were of 'young children' and there was some doubt over whether the worst of the images were found. Kerry Broome, mitigating, said Lidstone had agreed to undergo counselling in order to keep his job. His role with the police had not involved regular contact with children. Lidstone pleaded guilty to 13 offences - including three counts of rape, three counts of indecency with a child, various sexual assaults and taking an indecent photograph of a child - in November this year. He denied six other counts, which were left to lie on file. Mr Shaw told the court Lidstone started grooming the girl when she was nine. The court heard he would expose himself to her, show her pornography and take indecent photographs. 'This was serious sexual assault,' Mr Shaw said. 'The abuse was more or less continuous and culminated in rape when she was a young adult.' His victim was unable to make a statement to the court, saying she was so distressed that even the thought of it made her physically sick. One witness who knew the victim described how her life had been 'ruined'. 'She has never been able to integrate or make friends,' he said. 'He has shown himself to be lying and manipulative.' Dressed in a black suit, Lidstone broke down in tears in the dock as details of his abuse were read out. Referring to the latest offences, Miss Broome said her client had been 'infatuated'. She said that, with expert help, there was no reason he should pose any further danger to the public. 'He is very well aware of the shame he has brought on the police force and his 30 years of service are over,' Miss Broome said. Cambridgeshire Police have not yet responded to the judge's comments. Speaking after Lidstone was dismissed last month, Deputy Chief Constable Alec Wood said: 'This was an appalling crime where the victim was put through a horrendous ordeal over a prolonged period. 'We want the public and our own employees to feel confident about raising concerns about the conduct of our officers and staff. 'We will always investigate these cases thoroughly and ensure any offenders are brought to justice.' Jon Brown, who heads the NSPCC's programmes for tackling sexual abuse, said: 'It seems quite incredible that this officer wasn't charged first time around with a sexual offence. 'If he had been it's possible these later, more serious crimes could have been stopped sooner or even prevented in the first place. 'The tragedy is that a young girl has suffered terribly at this man's hands when he should not have been allowed the freedom to act in this appalling way. 'This underlines the importance of taking all sex offences extremely seriously and making sure the right course of action is followed through. 'It would only be right for the police authority to take a look at how he came to be charged with a minor offence all those years ago and to ensure it doesn't happen again.'

This man whilst Director of Public Prosecutions presided over the child grooming in his own words he stated," A generation of girls was betrayed by the justice system’s flawed approach to sexual exploitation". http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article3577555.ece A vote for Labour is a vote for child groomers it seems. http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/dec/13/keir-starmer-stand-labour-mp-holborn-st-pancras Keir Starmer to stand for Labour in Holborn and St PancrasFormer director of public prosecutions will fight safe Labour seat, replacing the former Cabinet minister Frank Dobson Press Association theguardian.com, Saturday 13 December 2014 18.49 GMT Sir Keir Starmer saw off four challengers to win the right to contest the Holborn and St Pancras seat, being vacated after 34 years. Photograph: James Drew Turner The former director of public prosecutions Sir Keir Starmer has been selected to fight a safe Labour seat in next year’s general election. The human rights lawyer saw off four challengers to win the right to contest the Holborn and St Pancras seat being vacated by the former Cabinet minister Frank Dobson after 34 years. Earlier this week, he received the endorsement of the former Labour leader, Neil Kinnock who praised his “courage, integrity and principles”. The other candidates in the race to defend Dobson’s 9,942 majority in the central London constituency were lawyer Raj Chada, council leader Sarah Hayward, doctor Patrick French and West Hampstead councillor Angela Pobe.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30078503?print=true England 27 November 2014 Last updated at 14:45 Bristol sex gangs jailed for grooming girlsThirteen men have been convicted of a string of child sex crimes in Bristol involving the abuse, rape and prostitution of teenage girls. Bristol Crown Court heard one victim, aged 16, was assaulted by five Somali men after she was moved to the city while in the care of another authority. Her 14-year-old sister was raped by a member of the gang while visiting her. The inquiry led to police uncovering another gang of Somali origin who had been abusing four other girls. The four teenagers were paid £30 or given drugs, alcohol and gifts to perform sex acts on older men from the Somali community. 'Shocked and shaken'The court heard some were persuaded to have sex with other gang members as they were told by the gang it was Somali "culture and tradition" and "men always have sex with each other's girlfriends". One 13-year-old victim was raped four times by three different men in a Premier Inn in Bristol city centre. A statement from the Bristol Somali community said: "The community is deeply shocked and shaken by the outcome of this case. They are unforgivable acts of cruelty against the most vulnerable members of our community." The thirteen men, all from Bristol, were convicted of charges including rape, sexual activity with a child, facilitating child prostitution, trafficking and paying for the sexual services of a child. Six were jailed following a trial during the summer. The remaining seven were convicted on Wednesday. Details of the two cases - which found grooming and abuse dating back to 2011 - can only now be revealed after reporting restrictions were lifted. The first trial centred on a group of drug dealers from the Easton area and their exploitation of primarily one teenage girl. She had been moved into a flat on her own in the city and left almost unsupervised by social workers from outside the area. The second trial focused on another group of young men and their grooming and subsequent sexual abuse of young girls. Tried in July and sentenced for up to 13 years in jail: Mustapha Farah, 21, Liban Abdi, 22, and Arafat Osman, 20, were each jailed for 13 years for paying for the sexual services of a child and supplying Class A drugs Abdulahi Aden, 20, was jailed for 13 years for rape and supplying Class A drugs Mustafa Deria, 22, was found guilty of rape and was jailed for seven-and-a-half years Idleh Osman, 22, was jailed for 10 years for facilitating child prostitution and supplying Class A drugs Tried in November and due to be sentenced on Friday: Sakariah Sheik, 21, Abdirashid Abdulahi, 21, and Jusuf Abdirizak, 20, were found guilty of rape Mohamed Dahir, 22, was found guilty of causing child prostitution Omar Jumale, 20, was found guilty of having sex with a child Said Zakaria, 22 was found guilty of rape and having sex with a child Mohamed Jumale, age 24, was found guilty of sex with a child Crying under a sinkSpeaking in July, Judge Michael Roach said the gang took "considerable advantage" of the 16-year-old sister who had been moved to Bristol by a council, which cannot be named in order to protect her identity. "I hope there will be an opportunity for the authorities to reconsider their thinking behind such a placement because it has, on any retrospective view, added considerably to the damage of that young person," he said. The teenager had been ordered by a court to live outside her home area and was placed in "supported living accommodation". Social workers had "very real concerns" about her and tried to persuade her to leave but "she refused to". The abused girl's five-month ordeal ended when police went to her flat looking for her sister who had been reported missing. The 14-year-old sibling was found crying in a cupboard under the kitchen sink in just her underwear. "One of the women police officers went to speak to her and she said that one of the men had forced himself on her, he had raped her," prosecutor Anna Vigars said in court. An independent serious case review into her care is now being carried out. BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

The Councillors should go to jail for negliegence! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-30212293?print=true Beds, Herts & Bucks 26 November 2014 Last updated at 17:25 Milton Keynes' reputation 'damaged' by rapist taxi driver caseGranting a serial rapist a taxi licence has damaged Milton Keynes' reputation, the leader of the council has admitted. Peter Marland called the decision to award Nadeem Kiani a licence a "tragedy". Two councillors resigned from the licensing committee and former Mayor Subhan Shafiq left the council as a result. Kiani was given the licence in 2011 despite having four convictions for rape and sexual assault. Labour's Mr Marland had been speaking at a Milton Keynes Council audit committee meeting to discuss an investigation into the scandal. "It is the first duty of any local authority to protect its citizens and we failed," he said. Kiani committed his crimes in 1994 and served four years of a eight year sentence. An investigation of the case has revealed serious flaws in the taxi licensing policy. It concluded councillors who had allowed Kiani to work in the city had not actually broken the policy's terms, but their conduct had led to questions over whether he was a "fit and proper" person to drive a taxi. Reputation 'destroyed'Kiani's licence had previously been briefly suspended after further details of how he had raped prostitutes in London were revealed, in 2012. But a second committee later lifted that suspension and a council officer granted Kiani a hackney carriage licence. The chairman and vice-chairman of that second committee, Lib Dem Stuart Burke and Labour's Gladstone McKenzie, resigned in August. At the meeting on Tuesday, calls have been made for Lib Dem leader Douglas McCall to resign over his backing of Mr Shafiq's decision to support Kiani. Former council leader, Conservative Andrew Geary, said the Lib-Dems had "destroyed" the city's reputation, by failing to act quickly over the scandal. He said: "Douglas has left himself in an impossible position. There is only one thing he can do and that is stand down. "He has left the reputation of this city in a very poor place. It is dented and damaged." But Lib Dem Ric Brackenbury said taxi licensing procedures had been "so far behind what they should have been". The report identified processes whereby councillors had been sitting in meetings without having read the papers and had been called up as last minute replacements. Mr McCall was unavailable for comment because of illness. BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

Pragaret Singh murder: Store owner shot 'protecting business' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-29862589?print=true Manchester 1 November 2014 Last updated at 22:20 Pragaret Singh murder: Store owner shot 'protecting business'A food store owner was shot dead at his Manchester business while "grappling" with a pair of robbers, police believe. Pragaret Singh, 35, was found with wounds to his abdomen and chest at Manchester Food Traders in Wood Street, Openshaw, on Friday evening. Mr Singh, who was locking up the family business when he was attacked, died in hospital. His uncle Billy Singh said the family was "devastated" and that his death had "left a hole in their world". Police said Mr Singh was carrying "thousands of pounds" of takings from the business when he was attacked. It is thought the two robbers ran off with a large amount of money and fled in a silver car. One of the men is described as black with spiked knotted hair and of a tall slim build. 'Unimaginable loss'Det Supt Jon Chadwick said Mr Singh, from Swinton, Salford, was a father of three and known as Charlie to his friends. He said: "We believe Charlie has grappled with at least one of the offenders to protect his business and during that struggle he suffered fatal gunshot wounds. "At this stage of our inquiry we believe this is the tragic death of an innocent businessman who was simply trying to protect his livelihood from criminals. "As a result, Charlie's entire family have suffered an unimaginable loss." Billy Singh described his nephew as "a lovely lad and a dedicated father, who loved his kids". No arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses. Greater Manchester Police said there would be an increased police presence in the area over the coming "hours, days and weeks".

I suggested a while back and I quote my own words, "Now we know why the Police 'Still Target Other Crimes Above Child Grooming' they don't want to end up arresting their own colleagues\friends!!!", sadly I have been proven right on this matter. This prediction brings me no joy as now not only our British children have to contend with organised rapists but the corrupt police who have turned a blind eye and also involved in this hideous evil. I appeal to the decent police officers amongst you, please turn in your evil colleagues who have brought your profession into disrepute and salvage that respect for your once proud profession. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4240241.ece THE TIMES THE SUNDAY TIMES TIMES+ SearchLogin Subscribe Contact us UK News Welcome to your preview of The Times Subscribe now Police officer took bribes from grooming gang, claims charity An independent inquiry has estimated that 1,400 children in the South Yorkshire town were subjected to abuse over 16 years from 1997 Getty Images Post a comment Print Share viaFacebook Twitter Google+ An independent inquiry has estimated that 1,400 children in the South Yorkshire town were subjected to abuse over 16 years from 1997 Getty Images Andrew Norfolk and Richard Ford Home Correspondent Published at 12:01AM, October 18 2014 A corrupt police officer was on the payroll of men who targeted and sexually abused children in Rotherham, a charity worker has claimed. The rogue officer is said to have passed information to grooming networks, undermining efforts to protect girls and target offenders. An independent inquiry has estimated that 1,400 children in the South Yorkshire town were subjected to abuse over 16 years from 1997. Victims were often blamed for the crimes committed against them, while “no action was taken on the perpetrators”. The corruption allegation, against an unnamed police officer, was made in evidence to MPs by a charity Subscribe now Login Already a subscriber? Times investigation: UK sex gangs 2011-01-05 00:00:58.766 2011-01-05 00:00:58.766 2011-01-05 00:00:58.766 2014-10-14 00:01:00.0 2014-10-14 00:01:00.0 2014-10-14 00:01:00.0 Read the full story Bullying rife at council that ignored child abuse MPs told that “sexist bullying” designed to put down and undermine women was a feature of Rotherham... Hundreds of child victims in new sex abuse scandalDetails of more than 400 victims, linked to 105 crimes and 242 suspects, were reported in the ten months to J... Doubts over evidence of Joyce Thacker, former childcare chief at RotherhamJoyce Thacker, Rotherham’s former director of children’s services, will be asked by MPs to account for an apparent... Scandal-hit childcare chief is on sick leave Joyce Thacker, the £115,000-a-year head of children’s services at Rotherham council, has gone on sick leave days... Disgraced police commissioner is facing new inquiry Shaun Wright, the South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner, was warned by MPs to give evidence on oath during... Shaun Wright resigns over Rotherham scandal - but what took him so long?Shaun Wright had said that resigning was the easy option. This morning he finally quit - the real surprise is that...

I do not know what David Haines faith was, the little we know about him was that he had helped victims of conflict in the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East. The Christians believe if you do not believe in Jesus no matter how decent you are in life you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, King James Version John 3:3, 'Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' We as Sikhs have suffered at the hands of the enemy and share the pain of David Haines and his family and friends, I know our WaheGuru will not judge David Haines and will meet his soul\spirit in the after life. To the friends and family of David Haines, we as Sikhs pay our respects and condolences for your tragic loss.

Labour Party of the UK - Continuing Shame of Rotherham's 1,400 victims of child abuse

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/09/researcher-rotherham-abuse-feared-for-life-police-visit Researcher who uncovered Rotherham abuse 'feared for life' after police visitCommons committee hears researcher's office was broken into after contact with South Yorkshire police and files went missing Alan Travis, home affairs editor theguardian.com, Tuesday 9 September 2014 18.04 BST A report last month found that at least 1,400 young people in Rotherham had been subjected to sexual abuse over a 16-year period. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images A Home Office researcher who uncovered the scale of child sex abuse in Rotherham more than 10 years ago was left in fear of her life after being visited by two South Yorkshire police officers, MPs have been told while taking evidence in private. The Commons home affairs select committee, meeting in a secret session on Tuesday to protect the identity of the researcher, heard that an office break-in followed the contact from the South Yorkshire officers and her files went missing. When the MPs put the allegation to the former South Yorkshire chief constable, Meredydd John Hughes, who was deputy head of the force at the time, he said he knew nothing of the Home Office research report and told the committee that he had had "no idea of the scale and scope" of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham. The committee took the highly unusual step of taking the evidence from witnesses on oath under the 1871 Perjury Act. A devastating official inquiry report last month found that at least 1,400 young people in Rotherham had been subjected to sexual abuse over a period of 16 years. Hughes, who was first deputy chief constable and then chief constable of South Yorkshire police for nine years until October 2011, told MPs he felt he had "singularly failed the victims" in Rotherham. "I am not an idle man… Some of the reports… I frankly felt sick last night when I read them. I am not immune to the ideas that this is a hideous crime and I am deeply embarrassed. But I can say with honesty that at the time that I was both deputy and chief constable, I had no idea of the scale and scope of this type of organised crime." He later told committee chairman, Keith Vaz: "I take no pleasure from this. I have had a 32-year police career, and yet on this issue I have signalled failed the victims of these criminals and it hurts. It is something that I loathe." He strenuously denied suggestions from MPs on the committee that he had been grossly incompetent or had been involved in a dereliction of duty, but added: "I do have questions to ask myself. I look on with a sense of horror … I wish I had done more." But Vaz bluntly told Hughes that he found his evidence "totally unconvincing" and said while his contrition was welcome it needed to go further and his evidence would be referred to the Woolf inquiry into child sexual exploitation. The Conservative MP, Nicola Blackwood, said the committee had heard evidence in private from the Home Office researcher that her 2002 report had been greeted with hostility by the South Yorkshire police. She said they had heard evidence that the researcher had been contacted by two officers who threatened to pass her name on to the groomers in Rotherham and she had been left in fear of her life. The Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert suggested to the current South Yorkshire chief constable, David Crompton, that there had been an active conspiracy involving police officers and questioned how the public could now trust South Yorkshire police. Crompton said: "I'm absolutely committed to getting to the bottom of it. If there are any disciplinary matters, and some of these are being raised with me for the first time today, you have my absolute commitment we'll get to the bottom of it." Sign up for the Guardian Today © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. http://www.theguardi...fe-police-visit Researcher who uncovered Rotherham abuse 'feared for life' after police visitCommons committee hears researcher's office was broken into after contact with South Yorkshire police and files went missing Alan Travis, home affairs editor theguardian.com, Tuesday 9 September 2014 18.04 BST A report last month found that at least 1,400 young people in Rotherham had been subjected to sexual abuse over a 16-year period. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images A Home Office researcher who uncovered the scale of child sex abuse in Rotherham more than 10 years ago was left in fear of her life after being visited by two South Yorkshire police officers, MPs have been told while taking evidence in private. The Commons home affairs select committee, meeting in a secret session on Tuesday to protect the identity of the researcher, heard that an office break-in followed the contact from the South Yorkshire officers and her files went missing. When the MPs put the allegation to the former South Yorkshire chief constable, Meredydd John Hughes, who was deputy head of the force at the time, he said he knew nothing of the Home Office research report and told the committee that he had had "no idea of the scale and scope" of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham. The committee took the highly unusual step of taking the evidence from witnesses on oath under the 1871 Perjury Act. A devastating official inquiry report last month found that at least 1,400 young people in Rotherham had been subjected to sexual abuse over a period of 16 years. Hughes, who was first deputy chief constable and then chief constable of South Yorkshire police for nine years until October 2011, told MPs he felt he had "singularly failed the victims" in Rotherham. "I am not an idle man… Some of the reports… I frankly felt sick last night when I read them. I am not immune to the ideas that this is a hideous crime and I am deeply embarrassed. But I can say with honesty that at the time that I was both deputy and chief constable, I had no idea of the scale and scope of this type of organised crime." He later told committee chairman, Keith Vaz: "I take no pleasure from this. I have had a 32-year police career, and yet on this issue I have signalled failed the victims of these criminals and it hurts. It is something that I loathe." He strenuously denied suggestions from MPs on the committee that he had been grossly incompetent or had been involved in a dereliction of duty, but added: "I do have questions to ask myself. I look on with a sense of horror … I wish I had done more." But Vaz bluntly told Hughes that he found his evidence "totally unconvincing" and said while his contrition was welcome it needed to go further and his evidence would be referred to the Woolf inquiry into child sexual exploitation. The Conservative MP, Nicola Blackwood, said the committee had heard evidence in private from the Home Office researcher that her 2002 report had been greeted with hostility by the South Yorkshire police. She said they had heard evidence that the researcher had been contacted by two officers who threatened to pass her name on to the groomers in Rotherham and she had been left in fear of her life. The Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert suggested to the current South Yorkshire chief constable, David Crompton, that there had been an active conspiracy involving police officers and questioned how the public could now trust South Yorkshire police. Crompton said: "I'm absolutely committed to getting to the bottom of it. If there are any disciplinary matters, and some of these are being raised with me for the first time today, you have my absolute commitment we'll get to the bottom of it." Sign up for the Guardian Today © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/26/rotherham-sexual-abuse-children Rotherham: failures led to sexual abuse of 1,400 childrenReport says failings in political and police leadership contributed to gang rape and trafficking in South Yorkshire Helen Pidd, Northern editor The Guardian, Tuesday 26 August 2014 23.07 BST Rotherham, where 1,400 children were abused over a 16-year period. Photograph: Fabio De Paola Blatant failures of political and police leadership contributed to the sexual exploitation of 1,400 children in Rotherham over a 16-year period, according to an uncompromising report published in the aftermath of allegations of gang rape and trafficking in the South Yorkshire town. Written by Prof Alexis Jay, a former chief inspector of social work, the investigation concluded that the council knew as far back as 2005 of sexual exploitation being committed on a wide scale by mostly Asian men, yet failed to act. This is the fourth report clearly identifying the problem of CSE in Rotherham. The first, commissioned by the Home Office back in 2002, contained "severe criticisms" of the police and local council for their indifference to what was happening under their noses. But instead of tackling the issue, senior police and council officers claimed the data in the report had been "fabricated or exaggerated", and subjected the report's author to "personal hostility," leading to "suspicions of collusion and cover up", said Jay. Council and other officials sometimes thought youth workers were exaggerating the exploitation problem. Sometimes they were afraid of being accused of racism if they talked openly about the perpetrators in the town mostly being Pakistani taxi drivers. Roger Stone, Rotherham's Labour council leader since 2003, said that he had stepped down with immediate effect following the publication of the Jay inquiry. "I believe it is only right that I, as leader, take responsibility on behalf of the council for the historic failings that are described so clearly in the report and it is my intention to do so," he said. Jahangir Akhtar, the former deputy leader of the council, is accused in the report of naivety and potentially "ignoring a politically inconvenient truth" by insisting there was not a deep-rooted problem of Pakistani-heritage perpetrators targeting young white girls. Police told the inquiry that some influential Pakistani councillors in Rotherham acted as barriers to communication on grooming issues. On a number of occasions, victims of sexual abuse were criminalised – arrested for being drunk – while their abusers continued to act with impunity. Vital evidence was ignored, Jay said, with police apparently trying to manipulate their figures for child sexual exploitation by removing from their monitoring process girls who were pregnant or had given birth, plus all looked after children in care. Jay concluded that from 1997-2013, Rotherham's most vulnerable girls, some as young as 11, were raped by large numbers of men. Others were trafficked to other towns and cities in the north of England, abducted, beaten, and intimidated, with some children doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight if they told anyone what had happened. No case involving Rotherham men came to court until November 2010 when five "sexual predators" were convicted of grooming three girls, two aged 13 and one 15, all under children's social care supervision, before using them for sex. In the past 12 months, 15 people have been prosecuted or charged with child sexual exploitation offences in Rotherham. The victims were offered gifts, rides in cars, cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis. Sex took place in cars, bushes and the play areas of parks. A mortgage adviser who drove a BMW and owned several properties promised to treat a 13-year old "like a princess". Another man pulled the hair of a 13-year old and called her a "white <banned word filter activated>" when she tried to reject his attempt to strip her. Keith Vaz, chair of the home affairs select committee, which interviewed Rotherham council officials during its own inquiry, said: "When we took evidence, Rotherham council were in denial and Stone is right to step down. Others responsible should also be held to account. "Yet everyone else involved will keep their jobs, according to council chief executive Martin Kimber. He said he did not have the evidence to discipline any individuals working for the council despite the report saying 'Over the first 12 years covered by this inquiry, the collective failures of political and officer leadership were blatant'." In summer 2013 Vaz's select committee published its own report, which criticised the council and the police in Rotherham, particularly for the lack of prosecutions over a number of years. That report was prompted in part by an investigation by the Times reporter Andrew Norfolk, which alleged that Rotherham police and council had deliberately covered up CSE. Jay's report is particularly critical of the authorities' failure to engage properly with the 8,000-strong members of Rotherham's Pakistani-heritage community. Akhtar, deputy leader until he lost his seat in May, told Jay he had not understood the scale of the child exploitation problem in Rotherham until 2013. Jay writes: "He was one of the elected members who said they thought the criminal convictions in 2010 were 'a one-off, isolated case', and not an example of a more deep-rooted problem of Pakistani-heritage perpetrators targeting young white girls. This was at best naive, and at worst ignoring a politically inconvenient truth." She found that attempts by senior people in the council and the police to downplay the ethnic dimensions of CSE in Rotherham were ill judged. There was also a failure to engage with women in the Pakistani community, she said, writing: "There was too much reliance by agencies on traditional community leaders such as elected members and imams as being the primary conduit of communication with the Pakistani-heritage community." Other than two meetings in 2011, there had been no direct engagement with either men or woman from the Pakistani community about CSE over the past 15 years, she added. The issue of race, regardless of ethnic group, should be tackled as an absolute priority if it is known to be a significant factor in the criminal activity of organised abuse in any local community, wrote Jay. She suggested councillors can play an effective role in this, "especially those representing the communities in question, but only if they act as facilitators of communication rather than barriers to it. One senior officer suggested that some influential Pakistani-heritage councillors in Rotherham had acted as barriers." Following the publication of Jay's report on Tuesday calls also came for the head of Shaun Wright, who became the police and crime commissioner for South Yorkshire two years ago following a five-year spell in charge of children and youth services on Rotherham borough council. Though he is not criticised by name in the report, he was responsible for child protection during a period in which Jay said police and council were well aware that there was a serious problem with child exploitation in Rotherham and yet failed to act. Caven Vines, a Ukip councillor in Rotherham and a member of the police and crime panel in South Yorkshire, which scrutinises the PCC's activities, said he would be demanding Wright's resignation: "I think he should resign immediately and at the next meeting of the panel I will be standing up to say exactly that – I should hope the rest of the panel will join me. You can't defend the indefensible." Colin Ross, the leader of the Lib Dem group on Sheffield City council, said: "Shaun Wright was the councillor in charge of children's services at Rotherham Council and also sat on the authority of South Yorkshire police when both organisations knew about the level of child sexual exploitation, but chose not do anything about it. It's difficult to see how local people can have confidence in him to continue as our police and crime commissioner." Wright declined to be interviewed. His spokeswoman issued a statement: "The commissioner has previously apologised for the failure of Rotherham council while he was in its cabinet from 2005 to 2010. He repeats that apology today and he fully accepts that there was more that everyone at Rotherham council should have done to tackle this terrible crime. "Since becoming police and crime commissioner he has repeatedly publicly made tackling child sexual exploitation his number one priority." No 10 said: "The failings of local agencies exposed by this inquiry are appalling. We are determined that the lessons of past failures must be learned and that those who have exploited these children are brought to justice."