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Facebook party arranged by sex abuse gang in Stoke-on-Trent, claim police Facebook party arranged by sex abuse gang in Stoke-on-Trent, claim police
(35 minutes later)
A party arranged on Facebook by a gang planning to sexually exploit children was broken up by police, a chief constable has claimed.A party arranged on Facebook by a gang planning to sexually exploit children was broken up by police, a chief constable has claimed.
Jane Sawyers of Staffordshire Police said her officers descended on the party in Stoke-on-Trent and found up to 40 girls aged 14 to 15.Jane Sawyers of Staffordshire Police said her officers descended on the party in Stoke-on-Trent and found up to 40 girls aged 14 to 15.
She revealed the raid in response to criticism of her force over its record for protecting vulnerable victims.She revealed the raid in response to criticism of her force over its record for protecting vulnerable victims.
However, police would not say if any arrests were made.However, police would not say if any arrests were made.
Staffordshire Police would only describe the inquiry into the party, which is said to have been held in the Bucknall area of the city on 5 February, as an "ongoing investigation".Staffordshire Police would only describe the inquiry into the party, which is said to have been held in the Bucknall area of the city on 5 February, as an "ongoing investigation".
Updates on this story and more stories from Stoke
Speaking about the gathering, Ms Sawyers said: "The purpose of arranging the party was so that some children could be exploited."Speaking about the gathering, Ms Sawyers said: "The purpose of arranging the party was so that some children could be exploited."
The raid involved the public protection investigation team, child exploitation team, integrated offender management and social services, said Ms Sawyers. The investigation looked at how social media was being used to advertise house parties across the city, after police were made aware of reports, through disclosures by children to teachers, care workers and occasionally parents, that some sexual activity had taken place at some parties, the force said.
Officers managed to disrupt or stop some gatherings from taking place, a police spokesman said.
'Serious weaknesses''Serious weaknesses'
The majority of those who went to the party earlier this month did not enter the house, the spokesman added.
The raid involved the public protection investigation team, child exploitation team, integrated offender management and social services, said Ms Sawyers.
She said the 40 girls were not all intended victims of sexual exploitation, but the purpose of the party was that some children could be abused.She said the 40 girls were not all intended victims of sexual exploitation, but the purpose of the party was that some children could be abused.
Updates on this story and more stories from Stoke
Work is continuing to support the girls and their families, she said.Work is continuing to support the girls and their families, she said.
The chief constable was responding to a report that rated the force "inadequate" at protecting vulnerable victims.The chief constable was responding to a report that rated the force "inadequate" at protecting vulnerable victims.
The HMIC inspection into police effectiveness said the force had "made an encouraging start" in preparing to tackle child sexual exploitation, but found a "mixed picture" of performance overall.The HMIC inspection into police effectiveness said the force had "made an encouraging start" in preparing to tackle child sexual exploitation, but found a "mixed picture" of performance overall.
HMIC, which inspected the force between June and August last year, identified "serious weaknesses" in the services Staffordshire Police provides to protect and support victims, particularly domestic abuse victims.HMIC, which inspected the force between June and August last year, identified "serious weaknesses" in the services Staffordshire Police provides to protect and support victims, particularly domestic abuse victims.
Urgent improvement was needed in several areas, inspectors said.Urgent improvement was needed in several areas, inspectors said.
However, officers recognised the risks posed to children and young people from sexual exploitation and the senior leadership within the force had demonstrated "a commitment to tackling the problem", the report found.However, officers recognised the risks posed to children and young people from sexual exploitation and the senior leadership within the force had demonstrated "a commitment to tackling the problem", the report found.
Ms Sawyer said: "We are constantly adapting and improving how we investigate new types of crime and HMIC recognises the active steps we are taking."Ms Sawyer said: "We are constantly adapting and improving how we investigate new types of crime and HMIC recognises the active steps we are taking."