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  • 2 weeks later...
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' skirts
  • Nick 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

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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.

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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.'

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http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/three-west-midlands-police-officers-8558570

Three West Midlands Police officers sexually exploited underage girls

Among 22 cases where cops or staff accused of abusing their position of authority to prey on the public
west-mids-police-tzr.jpg
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.

PM2488681.jpgLloyd 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.

PM350159.jpgMichael 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.jpg

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-police.jpg

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.

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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

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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

Resignation..the easy way out, no accountability. No legal action against any of those resigning or the social workers and police offers involved so far in failing to protect the children of Rotherham. There ae some ongoing investigations by the IPCC, lets see if anything comes from them...the NCA is also involved.

Another question to ask..How many new arrests have been made of perptrators since the publication of the Jay report ? Or are they still all at large in the communuity...

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Shame of grooming cover-up: Cynical councillors could be going to jail after report says they systematically hid truth
  • National 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

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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.

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Intervention: Rotherham Borough Council, pictured, faces new elections and new management after the latest damning report over the town's child abuse scandal

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Clear-out: Former council leader Roger Stone (left) and chief executive Martin Kimber (right) left after the scandal emerged fully last year

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.

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 COUNCIL
  • A 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'.

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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.

20D9BDF500000578-2939129-New_complaints_

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.'

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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.

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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
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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.’

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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'.

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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'

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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'.

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Two councillors and corrupt police officer accused of having sex with victims of Rotherham abuse scandal

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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.’

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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
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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.

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Bonesontour, Hereford, about 23 hours ago

If CHilcot is anything to go on we might see a report by 2025

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...)

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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.

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ARM20, Bristol, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago

What an absolute disgrace!

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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.

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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.

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Rob77, Bolton, United Kingdom, about 23 hours ago

Just how I imagine the public sector operates generally.

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null, about 23 hours ago

Justice please for these poor victims

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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

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2942899/Police-officer-investigated-probe-Rotherham-child-sex-scandal-died-hit-car-crossed-street.html

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

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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.

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.

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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.'

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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.

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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 !

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Troubleatmill, Birmingham, United Kingdom, about 3 hours ago

How many more of south Yorkshires men in blue will be investigated and charged in wonder?

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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!

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BigBdarlo, Darlington N East UK, about 3 hours ago

Conspiracy theorists commence ........

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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

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Candidly, Sydney, about 3 hours ago

A police investigation would have a conflict of interest.

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Jose Aldo, Dover, United Kingdom, about 4 hours ago

Is he guilty? NO the judges will rule tthis

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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?

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vanityfair, London UK, United Kingdom, about 4 hours ago

Suspicious being Rotherham.

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Len Clean-Air System, Chelmsford, about 4 hours ago

That's it....don't miss an opportunity to get an anti UKIP dig in.

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  • 3 weeks later...
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.

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