Following a Home Office announcement, the National Crime Agency (NCA) will launch a nationwide operation to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of child sexual exploitation within grooming gangs.
Collaborating with police forces, the NCA aims to deliver long-overdue justice to victims whose cases stalled within the criminal justice system and prevent future victimization.
This initiative precedes Baroness Louise Casey’s report on group-based child sexual abuse, scheduled for release on Monday.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Saturday a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs across England and Wales.
The NCA operation seeks to increase convictions for child sexual abuse perpetrators, enhance victim protection, and improve investigative practices within local police forces.
Furthermore, it aims to dismantle the culture of denial surrounding the prevalence of this crime among local services and authorities.
The Home Office confirmed that police have reopened over 800 historic group-based child sexual abuse cases since the Home Secretary’s January request to review cases prematurely closed, denying victims justice.
“The vulnerable young girls who endured unimaginable abuse now demand justice,” stated Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. “We are rectifying the past failures to listen.”
The Home Office emphasized that the national inquiry will have the power to compel investigations into historic grooming gang crimes.
This will ensure thorough examination of allegations of mishandling, wrongdoing, and cover-ups by police, agencies, professionals, and officials, holding those responsible accountable.
The inquiry will operate under a single chair and a panel empowered to summon witnesses.
The grooming gangs issue gained significant attention in early 2025, partly fueled by Elon Musk’s criticism of Sir Keir’s initial reluctance to launch a national inquiry.
This controversy stemmed from high-profile cases involving groups of men, predominantly of Pakistani descent, convicted of sexually abusing and raping young white girls in towns like Rotherham and Rochdale.
Sir Keir stated he reviewed Baroness Casey’s independent report and accepted its recommendation for an inquiry encompassing England and Wales.
In January, the government initially declined a statutory national inquiry, despite support from some Labour MPs.
Instead, Cooper proposed five government-backed local inquiries—in Oldham and four other unnamed areas—alongside a three-month audit led by Baroness Casey.
This report’s expected release on Monday will be addressed by Cooper in Parliament.
For months, the Prime Minister faced criticism for his initial opposition to a national inquiry, with Conservatives claiming they forced a U-turn.
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride stated on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the inquiry decision should have been made much earlier.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the inquiry decision, asserting on the same programme that ministers never dismissed victims’ concerns.
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