Rochdale grooming: Council leaders 'let down' groomed girls

[Omah]

Rochdale grooming trial: Nine found guilty of child sex charges

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17989463

Nine men have been convicted of being part of a child sexual exploitation ring in Greater Manchester.

The men, who are all from Rochdale and Oldham, "groomed" young girls, some as young as 13.

Liverpool Crown Court heard claims that the men plied their victims with drink and drugs so they could "pass them around" and use them for sex.

A failed police investigation in 2008 allowed the abuse to go undetected for another two years.

After four days of deliberations, the jury of three men and nine women returned guilty verdicts against the men for their part in a child sex ring which centred on Heywood.

The offences included rape, trafficking girls for sex and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Two of the defendants on trial, Qamar Shazad and Liaquat Shah both of Rochdale, were acquitted and walked free from court.

Previously :

Men 'plied girls with drink and drugs for sex' (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-17117530)

I hope they get life sentences ..... :mad:

[bbfan1991]

Scum:mad:, hope they get lengthy sentences but it will be no consolation to their poor victims who will be haunted by what has happened:(.

[arista]

"I hope they get life sentences ."



I agree Omah

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17993003

Nine men who ran a child sexual exploitation ring in Greater Manchester have been jailed.

The men from Rochdale and Oldham, who exploited girls as young as 13 were given sentences ranging from four to 19 years.

They were found guilty of offences including rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Judge Gerald Clifton said the men were driven by "lust and greed".

He told them: "All of you treated (the victims) as though they were worthless and beyond respect."

The 59-year-old ringleader, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also convicted of two rapes, aiding and abetting rape, sexual assault and trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison,

The judge called him an "unpleasant and hypocritical bully" who had ordered a 15-year-old girl to have sex with Kabeer Hassan as a birthday "treat".

The eight other men are:

Kabeer Hassan, 25, of Lacrosse Avenue, Oldham, was sentenced to nine years for rape and three years, concurrently, for the conspiracy conviction.

Abdul Aziz, 41, of Armstrong Hurst Close, Rochdale, also convicted of trafficking for sexual exploitation, received a nine year sentence.

Abdul Rauf, 43, of Darley Road and Adil Khan, 42, of Oswald Street, both of Rochdale and also convicted of trafficking a child within the UK for sexual exploitation, received six and eight years respectively.

Mohammed Sajid, 35, of Jephys Street, Rochdale, also convicted of one count of rape, sexual activity with a girl under 16 and trafficking for sexual exploitation, was jailed for 12 years.

Mohammed Amin, 45, of Falinge Road, Falinge, also convicted of sexual assault, received a five-year jail term.

Hamid Safi, 22, of Tweedale Street, Rochdale, also convicted of trafficking girls for the purposes of sexual exploitation, has been sentenced to four years. He will be deported to Afghanistan at the end of his sentence.

Abdul Qayyum, 44, of Ramsay Street, Rochdale, was jailed for five years

Justice for the victims, but the sentences should have been longer ..... :idc:

[Kazanne]

Disgusting perverts,should be kept away from society for longer ,there are enough grown women who give away sex freely but maybe these sub creatures cannot handle an adult,cut their hands and wilberts off.Grrrrr

[arista]

They have been given
12 years , 6 years and 4 years
and the 59 year old pedo got 19 years.

[Kizzy]

Definatly not long enough...And raises a very tabboo subject.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/08/asian-sex-gangs-on-street-grooming

[bbfan1991]

No sentences will ever be justice for the victims because they will always be affected by this awful trauma, although I hope those men rot in prison and think about how their actions have ruined those girls life.

[InOne]

This is a very touchy subject at the moment, the media are afraid to bring the actual race into it. Which is why it probably goes on so easily and will still go on.

[arista]

This is a very touchy subject at the moment, the media are afraid to bring the actual race into it. Which is why it probably goes on so easily and will still go on.

There was a good debate this morning on Radio 5
9- 10AM.

And many are now saying it was a Pakistani pedo group
of men picking on girls who were all white.

"The muslim kids
do not go out at 2AM"
One Muslim Leader of that area said.

Meaning only white kids are out at 2AM




Police fears of being branded racist 'left grooming gang free to abuse teenage girls for two years,' says former Labour MP

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141740/Rochdale-child-sex-trial-Police-fears-branded-racist-left-grooming-gang-free-abuse-teenage-girls-years-says-Labour-MP.html#ixzz1uNminA6b


I think Ch4 News tonight
will cal it as it is.

[InOne]

There was a good debate this morning on Radio 5
9- 10AM.

And many are now saying it was a Pakistani pedo group
of men picking on girls who were all white.

"The muslim kids
do not go out at 2AM"
One Muslim Leader of that area said.

Meaning only white kids are out at 2AM




Police fears of being branded racist 'left grooming gang free to abuse teenage girls for two years,' says former Labour MP

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141740/Rochdale-child-sex-trial-Police-fears-branded-racist-left-grooming-gang-free-abuse-teenage-girls-years-says-Labour-MP.html#ixzz1uNminA6b


I think Ch4 News tonight
will cal it as it is.

Yeah, they've brought the issue up a few times but it just gets buried under the carpet. And these 'community leaders' seem to dodge the issue as well, I'd imagine naming names would bring shame on the family which is what they're most worried about.

[arista]

Yeah, they've brought the issue up a few times but it just gets buried under the carpet. And these 'community leaders' seem to dodge the issue as well, I'd imagine naming names would bring shame on the family which is what they're most worried about.


Yes a New Inquiry
is going on about that.

[bbfan1991]

This is a very touchy subject at the moment, the media are afraid to bring the actual race into it. Which is why it probably goes on so easily and will still go on.

I agree, although in terms of just the disgusting attitude from some but not all Asian men that most British women are slags, drunk and easy etc, which is why those kind of people disillusion themselves from mixing with people from other religions in communitieis.

[waterhog]

hello everyone on this message board. i am not sure if you will remember but i wrote a poem (you NEVER JOE ) about this when it happened. as you can see from the poem i have done today (the one with today's date in tittle) i am very much on the same page i was when this first happened.

just wondered what your views are on the sentencing - the top guy got 19 years and the least offended got 4 years. is there fare ? i am delighted with it as normally these offenders get months not years by judges who i refer to in my poem. so all in all i am happy with the sentencing - but are you or do you even care ?

Roachdale - sweetener 77 10.5.12

it has been proven,
maybe my "Roacdale pedo" poem did impact,
it was a despicable crime,
but "racist" is the underlying fact.
never would they self harm,
and that's why no girl was home grown,
i am trying to point this out,
not sure if i have shown.
enjoy your time,
it will be heaven,
and i hope you all "receive",
now you are the special chosen "eleven".
i don't no how the judge gave,
it is a long sting,
i was expecting you all to receive "months",
seen as judges run the "pedo" ring.
enjoy your 77 sweetener,
while taking a shower hold a tissue,
i think the "police" should join,
as they failed to find "race" as a issue.

this is the link in which i first got all my details for my first poem below and the link - and above with today's date is the poem i done today with today's date 10.5.12 now they have been sentenced. (sorry if they are disturbing - harsh views on this )


www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-17117530


Rochdale Indian Paedophile gang name and shame poem

in my poem, all of the following men will be taken from heaven,
i will name 10, out of the eleven.
starting with Hamid Safi who is the baby of the group,
a sick name really, he is only one foot solider troop.
before we have a drink and the girls are drunk,
Mohammed Amin is 44 but still has a tendency to child bunk.
all the men are from greater Manchester, a place called Rochdale,
the other Mohammed Sajid, thought he was like a star from Emmerdale.
Abdul Khan and Liaquat Shah and Adil Kham are early forty's,
there poor family's name lost from there naughty's.
Omar Shahzad and Kabeer Hassan are in there twenty's,
but the shock will now be going to a Skoda from there Bently's.
the last of the group is 59 for legal reasons his name is hidden,
it will come out, as this crime is forbidden.
we no the place, but now the dates which were yearly consecrative,
all 11 deny it, no-one wants to be the chief executive.
Rachel Mith told the caught while acting as the prosecution,
one girl of 13 fell pregnant, and had a abortion execution.
Rachel also said the girls felt depressed but flattered,
i don't agree with thug law, but justice is when they are all battered.
all the victims became incapable, to be able for help to pick,
one even remembers being ****d by 2 men while she was being sick.
driven around, this business was mobile,
any complaint, violence was used, don't dare smile.
money exchanged, this is a clear racket,
all perpetrators must suffer, not one bracket.
did these girls ever go to school,
they were brainwashed to think drinking and smoking is far more cool.
how were these Pedo's called or too spoke,
they invented names, like master and Tiger, no joke.
what was the income was it all part of the trade,
shops called "Tasty bits" and "Balti House" delivered Indians of disgusting grade.
4 were cab drivers, one a student ",study child care" i guess,
the other 4 had pride in there hobby, that's why they were work-less.
Aziz,Khan,Safi are in custody and waiting,
rest on bail, and my poem they will be hating.
did the victims get anything apart from vodka to bank,
if they refused they were rapped, in kids words, that's "rank".
in August 2008 Abdul Aziz took control, but was the ring sweet,
the men all gathered for group activity,in a flat in. "Jephy's street".
no more can be said, on with the trial,
but how ever long they get, it will never be justice as of acts so vile.

Read more: http://corrieforumplus.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=hello&thread=1241#ixzz1uSXMpILd

[Kizzy]

I do remember your poem joe, can't remember if I was brave enough to comment...Well done, I actually look forward to reading your poems as you are not afraid to tackle tabboo subjects that others may shy away from.
It looks like the message has finally hit home, these cases are at last being treated with the seriousness that they require to smash this vile exploitation of vulnerable children in our 'care' system.
The kid gloves are off. (sorry)

[Kizzy]

Stop trolling arista....If you have nothing to say on the subject pipe down:pipe:

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-18015823

The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester has said more arrests are likely in connection with a child sexual grooming ring in Heywood.

Peter Fahy said he hoped more victims of sexual abuse will come forward after nine men were jailed on Tuesday.

Five girls gave evidence, but police believe there may have been up to 47 victims.

The nine defendants, eight of Pakistani origin and one from Afghanistan and aged between 24 and 59, were found guilty of offences including rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Mr Fahy said there had been "a number of arrests" in other sexual abuse cases and there were "a number of other trials pending".

But he said the vulnerability of the witnesses made it difficult to bring the cases to court.

"They are damaged individuals, they have weaknesses in their own backgrounds which we know will be exploited by defence solicitors," he said.

"But I think the sentences will send out a strong message and hopefully will encourage more victims to come forward.

"The public are getting a better understanding of this particular (grooming) problem and that will mean we will be able to do more investigation."

Mr Fahy said that for operational reasons he could not give an indication about when further arrests might be carried out.

If there are 47 victims of multiple rape, there must be hundreds of perpetrators ..... :eek:

[Kizzy]

The lid on this has finally been lifted, they would do well to liase with West Yorkshire Police on this issue.

[InOne]

They have known about this since the documentary 'Edge of the City' in like 2004, and now they're only doing something about it:bored:

[Mystic Mock]

Im surprised they're getting sentenced to prison tbh as this stupid country has given one paedophile who abused a 9 month old baby 3 years community service.

And back onto this topic howcome the ringleaders name wasn't revealed? stop protecting the scum and actually name and shame them you Tory prats.

Although tbf Labour was just as bad for it.

[Omah]

And back onto this topic howcome the ringleaders name wasn't revealed?

He's probably up for trial on other charges ..... :idc:

[waterhog]

I do remember your poem joe, can't remember if I was brave enough to comment...Well done, I actually look forward to reading your poems as you are not afraid to tackle tabboo subjects that others may shy away from.
It looks like the message has finally hit home, these cases are at last being treated with the seriousness that they require to smash this vile exploitation of vulnerable children in our 'care' system.
The kid gloves are off. (sorry)



thats right kizzy - but i still think we have a long way to go - but its great people are now waking up to it.

[Kizzy]

You know what? forget snowball...There will be an avalanche over the next few months. I just hope bigots like griffin will let the law get on with their job and stop using this issue as a pathetic attempt to raise his profile.

[waterhog]

kizzy is there a echo in here ?

[bbfan1991]

A second sexual grooming case has been uncovered in Rochdale, it has been reported.

Several men have been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a teenage girl over a a six-year period, the Manchester Evening News has reported.

It follows the conviction of nine men from Rochdale and Oldham who were jailed for running a child sexual exploitation ring.

The men had targeted vulnerable girls as young as 13.

During the trial, five girls gave evidence, but police believe there may have been up to 47 victims.

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Peter Fahy, said he hoped more victims of sexual abuse would come forward after the men were sentenced.

But he said the vulnerability of the witnesses made it difficult to bring the cases to court, describing the girls as "damaged individuals".

Police said the latest arrests were not related to the case that concluded with the nine men being jailed from four to 19 years.

They had been found guilty of offences including rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

On sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Gerald Clifton said the convicted men treated the girls "as though they were worthless and beyond respect".

All five girls who were witnesses in the gang's conviction were known to social services at some stage in their lives.

Rochdale Council has been tackling the problem of grooming by running an education programme warning schoolchildren of the dangers of child sexual exploitation.

So far, 10,000 high school students have taken part.

[Kizzy]

They haven't even scratched the surface, there will be 100's across the UK.

[Omah]

A second sexual grooming case has been uncovered in Rochdale, it has been reported.

Several men have been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a teenage girl over a a six-year period, the Manchester Evening News has reported.

It follows the conviction of nine men from Rochdale and Oldham who were jailed for running a child sexual exploitation ring.

The men had targeted vulnerable girls as young as 13.

During the trial, five girls gave evidence, but police believe there may have been up to 47 victims.
Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Peter Fahy, said he hoped more victims of sexual abuse would come forward after the men were sentenced.
But he said the vulnerability of the witnesses made it difficult to bring the cases to court, describing the girls as "damaged individuals".
Police said the latest arrests were not related to the case that concluded with the nine men being jailed from four to 19 years.

They had been found guilty of offences including rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.
On sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Gerald Clifton said the convicted men treated the girls "as though they were worthless and beyond respect".
All five girls who were witnesses in the gang's conviction were known to social services at some stage in their lives.

Rochdale Council has been tackling the problem of grooming by running an education programme warning schoolchildren of the dangers of child sexual exploitation.

So far, 10,000 high school students have taken part.

Much of your post is repetition of links in others previous posts ..... :conf:

[bbfan1991]

Omah it is from the BBC website, but they have updated today because of these new arrests.

[Kizzy]

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/9694300._Depraved__pair_locked_up_for_grooming_gir l__13__for_sex/?ref=mr

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/local/keighleynews/9222104.Putting_the_spotlight_on_hidden_crimes/

[waterhog]

100s ? millions

[arista]

Omah it is from the BBC website, but they have updated today because of these new arrests.


If only Omah went to SkyNews, for a change
he would know they are New Arrests

[Omah]

If only Omah went to SkyNews, for a change
he would know they are New Arrests

But the rest of the quoted article is OLD ..... :bored:

[Kizzy]

If only Omah went to SkyNews, for a change
he would know they are New Arrests

If only you ever had an opinion on the threads you post in....

[arista]

But the rest of the quoted article is OLD ..... :bored:

OK fair enough

[arista]

If only you ever had an opinion on the threads you post in....


Its going to get far worse
More Arrests will be made.

Is it a asian thing to treat white girls
like that - no.

But there is a group of Asian Men
that do Rape white girls,
and that must come out in the open.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/9694300._Depraved__pair_locked_up_for_grooming_gir l__13__for_sex/?ref=mr

[InOne]

I'm glad it's finally being blown up in the air. Hopefully they will address the actual problem among the 'asian' communtiy.

[waterhog]

i think its going to create a bigger devide now and give people like nick griffin free publicity and promotion.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-18129635

Two more men have been arrested in connection with an ongoing inquiry into grooming and child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.

The men, both 33, were detained on suspicion of sexual assault and rape.

Their arrests are in relation to one of five girls who gave evidence in a recent trial that saw nine men convicted over child sex grooming.

All nine were jailed for crimes including rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

During the case, Liverpool Crown Court heard the youngster was also abused from the age of 15 by four men, who she only knew by their nicknames.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said the two men had been released on bail pending further inquiries.

:idc:

[arista]

Many More to Come

[Z]

As horrible as these crimes are, I really hope other victims come forward, this could be a huge breakthrough in the UK in putting an end to these rings.

[Pyramid*]

As horrible as these crimes are, I really hope other victims come forward, this could be a huge breakthrough in the UK in putting an end to these rings.

I do too - as horrible as it will be for the victims - for all sorts of reasons - fear of reprisals, fear of not being believed, fear of being branded all sorts:- it's one thing them coming forward and their statements etc being used as evidence; the sentence passed to those guilty - that's as equally important.

If they are given short sentences - as many of our Judges tend to do - it's a complete waste of time when all is said and done.

[Kizzy]

It has been swept under the carpet for far too long the failings in the 'care system' to adequately protect the vulnerable from predators. Read Nick Davies Dark Heart, (the truth behind hidden Britain)...

[waterhog]

it will be most hurtful if these perpetrators came to the uk for a better life and if they are all out of work, that will really add insult to injury - yet again if they are all legitimit and working - what a double life they have all been leading and shame on them for that.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-18540902

The jailed leader of a Rochdale sex ring has been found guilty of 30 child rape charges.

Shabir Ahmed, 59, of Oldham, was one of nine men convicted of sex offences against children at Liverpool Crown Court in May.

He was not named at the time because he faced further charges, but was jailed for 19 years.

He has been found guilty at Manchester Crown Court of raping and sexually abusing a girl for more than a decade.

Prosecuting, Rachel Smith said Ahmed, of Windsor Road, had treated his victim as a "possession" which he used for his own sexual gratification.

She said he had been "a violent and controlling man" who had abused the girl on "an almost weekly basis".

"She tried to make him stop, but it was to no avail," she said.

The court was told the victim felt a sense of shame about what happened to her, which had stopped her reporting it to the police for many years.

Ms Smith said the reality of what he had done "was never far from her thoughts" and that she had described "having dreams about it".

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar adjourned sentencing until August to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Speaking after the verdict, Det Ch Supt Mary Doyle said Ahmed's victim had "shown phenomenal bravery to come forward and tell the police about what happened to her".

"We already knew Ahmed was an integral part of the Rochdale grooming case - now we can also say his horrific campaign of abuse began many years ago with the systematic rape of this one victim," she said.

Bring back the oubliette for monsters like this ..... :hmph:

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-19090706

The jailed leader of a Rochdale sex ring has received a further term of 22 years for 30 child rape charges.

Shabir Ahmed, 59, of Oldham, was one of nine men convicted of sex offences against children at Liverpool Crown Court in May.

He was not named at the time because he faced further charges, but was jailed for 19 years.

Ahmed was convicted at Manchester Crown Court in June of raping and sexually abusing a girl for more than a decade.

His sentence will run concurrently with the earlier one.

With luck, he'll rot in jail ..... :idc:

[Munchkins]

All these stories, really do just make me feel physically sick :(
Just disgusting

[Marcus.]

why

[chuff me dizzy]

It was on my local news ,its rife in Rotherham,Sheffield, yet no ones been charged, disgusting

[Marc]

Yessss

[chuff me dizzy]

it will be most hurtful if these perpetrators came to the uk for a better life and if they are all out of work, that will really add insult to injury - yet again if they are all legitimit and working - what a double life they have all been leading and shame on them for that.

They come here for benefits,nothing else

[Munchkins]

Should be castrated with a blunt knife tbf

[chuff me dizzy]

Should be castrated with a blunt knife tbf

Too good for them

[Nedusa]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17993003



Justice for the victims, but the sentences should have been longer ..... :idc:

I'm a bit confused by all this ... All the perpetrators of this disgusting and perverted crime appear to have Muslim names which suggests they are Muslims.

Yet as we know the Koran forbids other men observing women hence the Hijab and other head wraps. Muslim men follow a strict moral code as laid down in the Koran which instills dignity and honour in their dealings with Muslim girls and young women.

So can someone please tell me why nine Muslim men have been convicted of such depraved acts including child rape, sexual molestation , prostitution rings and child sex trafficking... With most if not all the victims being white non Muslim woman and girls.

What does this say about Muslim attitudes to non Muslim woman ?? The crime itself is bad enough but the religious hypocrisy is also very alarming...!!!

[InOne]

I'm a bit confused by all this ... All the perpetrators of this disgusting and perverted crime appear to have Muslim names which suggests they are Muslims.

Yet as we know the Koran forbids other men observing women hence the Hijab and other head wraps. Muslim men follow a strict moral code as laid down in the Koran which instills dignity and honour in their dealings with Muslim girls and young women.

So can someone please tell me why nine Muslim men have been convicted of such depraved acts including child rape, sexual molestation , prostitution rings and child sex trafficking... With most if not all the victims being white non Muslim woman and girls.

What does this say about Muslim attitudes to non Muslim woman ?? The crime itself is bad enough but the religious hypocrisy is also very alarming...!!!

It seems to be more of a cultural problem than a religious one (although that plays a part too). It's almost always men of Pakistani decent

[Pyramid*]

I'm a bit confused by all this ... All the perpetrators of this disgusting and perverted crime appear to have Muslim names which suggests they are Muslims.

Yet as we know the Koran forbids other men observing women hence the Hijab and other head wraps. Muslim men follow a strict moral code as laid down in the Koran which instills dignity and honour in their dealings with Muslim girls and young women.

So can someone please tell me why nine Muslim men have been convicted of such depraved acts including child rape, sexual molestation , prostitution rings and child sex trafficking... With most if not all the victims being white non Muslim woman and girls.

What does this say about Muslim attitudes to non Muslim woman ?? The crime itself is bad enough but the religious hypocrisy is also very alarming...!!!


While I 'understand' to a degree where the part in bold has come from: it's alarming that the leader / his barrister thought that a 'non white' jury would in some way: come to a decision in his favour. Justice is justice regardless of colour - it says much that this depraved man and his equally sick barrister were trying to put the spin on it that a 'non white jury' would not have come to the same verdict.

And once again: we have his identity protected.


Earlier the 59-year-old leader of the sex ring, who cannot be named for legal reasons but was also convicted of two rapes, aiding and abetting rape, sexual assault and trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, was jailed for 19 years

His defence barrister, Simon Nichol, said his client "has objected from the start for being tried by an all white jury and subsequent events have confirmed his fears".

"He believes his convictions have nothing to do with justice but result from the faith and the race of the defendants. "He further believes that society failed the girls in this case before the girls even met them and now that failure is being blamed on a weak minority group."

But sentencing the ringleader to 19 years in prison, the judge called him an "unpleasant and hypocritical bully" who had ordered a 15-year-old girl to have sex with takeaway worker Kabeer Hassan as a birthday "treat".

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-21648290

An MP is calling on police to speed up its probe into child sex grooming allegations in Greater Manchester.

Officers are carrying out criminal investigations into six cases while dealing with 42 alleged victims of sexual abuse in Rochdale.

Simon Danczuk, MP for Rochdale, said "whistle blowers" told him that there was "no urgency" in the investigation.

But Greater Manchester Police said dealing with child abuse was a priority.

The investigation was launched last May in the wake of the convictions of nine men who groomed and abused children in Rochdale and Heywood.

Mr Danczuk said: "People involved in the investigation have been coming to my office saying there is a sense that momentum is being lost.

"It is not just a case of the resources but whether the officers have the right skills.

"Some of these allegations date back to 2008, when some were ignored and it is quite understandable that they are reluctant to come forward."

He added he is writing to Greater Manchester's Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy. He said: "I am seeking assurances there are enough officers with the right kind of skills and aptitude to interview all of the alleged victims".

As well as the 42 alleged victims, police are also examining 34 other names referred to them - but it is not clear how many of these are potential victims.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood said: "Rumours about child sexual exploitation (CSE) operations being discontinued are not only inaccurate, but also undermine the confidence of both victims and the wider community.

"CSE is now the force priority and we currently have more detectives working in this area than we do combating gun crime."

Mr Heywood also stated: "The investigation itself is at an extremely sensitive stage and it has taken many painstaking months for officers to gain the trust and understanding of potential victims and their families."

He said there had been "an initial pool of 42 girls" approached by the force, "but the vast majority did not want to pursue a criminal complaint".

Mr Heywood added: "There is now a core of six victims we are continuing to work with and the investigation is ongoing.

"However, the rest of the girls remain very much part of the investigation and the multi-agency support for them continues regardless of whether there are prosecutions or not.

Let's hope that, now that public interest has waned, that vulnerable, abused and exploited children are not being forgotten ..... :idc:

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21925205

Men alleged to be part of a child-grooming ring in Rochdale were never brought to justice because the evidence of teenage victims was not pursued, according a former police officer.

Last May nine members of the ring were jailed for a total of 77 years.

Tessa (not her real name) was 14 years old when men started grooming her for sex - luring her with free takeaway food and alcohol.

During a failed investigation into the abuse in 2008, she was arrested on suspicion of introducing friends to help the ring widen its network of girls - a claim she denies.

The investigation was eventually dropped and no charges were brought against her.

Three years later, after the case was resurrected, police documents seen by the the BBC's File on 4 programme said Tessa was "clearly a victim of sexual abuse and grooming".

After an initial period of mistrust, she co-operated with the new investigation, called Operation Span, identifying men, providing phone numbers and pointing out locations in flats, car parks and remote spots on the moors where she had been sexually abused.

But before the trial came to court, Tessa was dropped as a prosecution witness and she says she has never been told why.

"I thought I'd go to court and it would get the men off the street and be better for young girls out there now," she told the BBC.

Out of the 11 men who went to trial last year, nine were found guilty and two were acquitted.

But some of the men Tessa said had abused her were never arrested or charged.

She says she still sees some of them walking around Rochdale.

"There are still people out there not even arrested yet and I tried to explain that to a police officer, but they just don't listen," she said.

Former Det Con Margaret Oliver was the witness manager assigned to Tessa and another girl, Chelsea (not her real name).

She spent four months getting to know the girls, hearing their stories and encouraging them to give evidence to the police.

She was told the girls were vital for the police's investigation.

When she learned the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had decided not to call Tessa as a witness, she says she felt ashamed of her part in a process that won the girls' trust only to betray it.

Unlike Tessa, Chelsea was used as a witness in the trial, but only in relation to one charge against one man.

However, between them the two girls had described abuse by about 20 men.

Some of them were prosecuted and convicted but others were not.

"I feel that had the full facts been heard from the girls, we would have got heavier sentences and there wouldn't be offenders still walking the streets of Rochdale," Mrs Oliver said.

Pillars of the community, no doubt ..... :rolleyes:

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-22645372

Former senior managers at Rochdale Borough Council did not do enough to stop the grooming and sexual abuse of children, a report has found.

The review was ordered by the council after nine men were jailed last year for grooming and abusing teenage girls in and around the town.

Jim Taylor, chief executive, said the council had let down some children.

He said the review painted a poor image of how parts of the council was run but said it had improved its procedures.

The 136-page report by independent consultants made 16 recommendations and said the council should have done more to deal with the issue of grooming sooner.

The report said even though the problem was not recognised nationally until 2008, local councils in Lancashire close to Rochdale had already started tackling the issue.

Mr Taylor said: "It is clear from this review that some children were let down by Rochdale Council.

"On behalf of the council, I am deeply sorry these young people did not get the care and support they deserved.

"This review paints a poor picture of the way elements of Rochdale Council has previously been run.

"Hard-working, dedicated staff were also let down by some senior managers who appear to have shown no leadership and taken no responsibility. I am absolutely determined to ensure these mistakes are never repeated."

Shutting the door after the horse has bolted, but nevertheless ..... :idc: