Greater Manchester Police Makes Significant Improvements in Investigating Grooming Gangs

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has made significant strides in how it investigates group-based sexual exploitation of children, or grooming gangs, and other types of child sexual abuse offences. A report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found that the force has improved its understanding and approach to investigating allegations of child criminal and sexual exploitation. Since 2019, GMP has reviewed its non-recent child sexual exploitation investigations, leading to a cultural shift in the force, where investigating child sexual exploitation is now considered "everyone's business." The report highlights the force's dedication to supporting victims, with a dedicated team, the Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigation Team (CSE MIT), established in 2021, and a ring-fenced budget.

Key Takeaways:

• GMP has live investigations into "multi-victim, multi-offender" child sexual exploitation inquiries, involving 714 victims and survivors, and 1,099 suspects.
• The force has made "significant improvements" in how it investigates group-based sexual exploitation of children and other child sexual abuse offences, according to the HMICFRS report.
• GMP has identified "training gaps" in some investigation teams and acknowledges that some victims have been let down in the way their case was handled.
• The force is aware of the need to improve data sharing with local councils, as this has led to "significant delays in investigations" into grooming gangs.
• The CSE MIT and earlier grooming gang investigations have resulted in 42 convictions and more than 430 years imprisonment for offenders.
• Inspectors found that the force's current Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson, and senior officers prioritize child protection, ensuring all ranks understand its importance.

Statistics:

• 714 victims and survivors are being investigated in "multi-victim, multi-offender" child sexual exploitation inquiries.
• 1,099 suspects are being investigated in these inquiries.
• The CSE MIT and earlier grooming gang investigations have resulted in 42 convictions.
• Offenders have received more than 430 years in imprisonment for these convictions.
• 59 live multi-victim, multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations were being managed by the CSE MIT in October 2024.
• The CSE MIT has around 100 staff and a ring-fenced budget.

Sources:

• His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
• Greater Manchester Police (GMP)
• Baroness Louise Casey's independent review on grooming gangs