Shabana Mahmood has pledged that members of grooming gangs will finally be brought to justice, labeling them as “evil.” She revealed that a former children’s commissioner, Baroness Anne Longfield, will lead the national inquiry, which has faced delays but now has a budget of £65 million. Mahmood emphasized the importance of shedding light on this dark chapter in history within a three-year timeframe.
The Home Secretary criticized the state’s failure to protect young and vulnerable individuals and highlighted the negligence of some in authority who turned a blind eye to the atrocities. The inquiry will consist of local investigations overseen by a national panel with full statutory powers.
In addition to appointing Baroness Longfield, the Home Secretary announced a support package for victims and survivors, as well as funding for the police to target offenders. Mahmood warned that those who thought they had escaped justice will have nowhere to hide. Over 1,200 cases, including 200 priority rape cases, have been earmarked for reinvestigation.
The inquiry will specifically focus on child sexual abuse perpetrated by grooming gangs, considering the backgrounds of offenders, including ethnicity and religion. It aims to uncover failures at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels, working closely with law enforcement to address new criminal activities.
Baroness Casey’s damning report prompted the national inquiry’s establishment in June. Baroness Longfield expressed her commitment to seeking the truth, rectifying past mistakes, and safeguarding children today. She emphasized the inquiry’s dedication to uncovering uncomfortable truths.
Mahmood clarified that the crimes committed by the perpetrators were not representative of any specific religion or community. She stressed the collective responsibility to eradicate such evil acts without unfairly stigmatizing law-abiding citizens.
Following resignations and controversies over the inquiry’s scope, progress has been made in implementing Casey’s recommendations. The Government plans to annul convictions and cautions related to “child prostitution” and allocate additional funding to enhance the policing response, support survivors, and conduct research on combating grooming gangs.