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Oxford rape and trafficking: Two sides of the city | Oxford rape and trafficking: Two sides of the city |
(about 4 hours later) | |
To many, the picture postcard city of Oxford is all about its universities, ancient cobbled streets and dreaming spires. | To many, the picture postcard city of Oxford is all about its universities, ancient cobbled streets and dreaming spires. |
But beyond the historic colleges there is a side tourists are unlikely to see. | But beyond the historic colleges there is a side tourists are unlikely to see. |
Over the past few months an underbelly has been exposed, with young girls being groomed, left hooked on drugs and passed around for sex. | Over the past few months an underbelly has been exposed, with young girls being groomed, left hooked on drugs and passed around for sex. |
Sickening details emerged during a trial of nine men accused of various offences involving vulnerable girls aged as young as 11. | |
Seven of them were convicted of offences including rape, child prostitution and trafficking, while two were acquitted. | Seven of them were convicted of offences including rape, child prostitution and trafficking, while two were acquitted. |
The crimes uncovered by Operation Bullfinch - as police dubbed their investigation - have caused shock that this could happen in Oxford. | The crimes uncovered by Operation Bullfinch - as police dubbed their investigation - have caused shock that this could happen in Oxford. |
'Absolutely wrong' | 'Absolutely wrong' |
But those who live and work in the Cowley Road area, where many of the victims were approached, admit there is a "darker side". | But those who live and work in the Cowley Road area, where many of the victims were approached, admit there is a "darker side". |
It was here the men picked up their victims, targeting vulnerable girls and plying them with drink and drugs. | It was here the men picked up their victims, targeting vulnerable girls and plying them with drink and drugs. |
Girls out at night in the area were presumed to be "up for it", one victim said during the trial. | Girls out at night in the area were presumed to be "up for it", one victim said during the trial. |
Andy Dipper, from volunteer group Oxford Communities Against Trafficking (Oxcat), warned this case could be the tip of the iceberg. | Andy Dipper, from volunteer group Oxford Communities Against Trafficking (Oxcat), warned this case could be the tip of the iceberg. |
He said: "This is not just a university city, this is a city which is far more complex. | He said: "This is not just a university city, this is a city which is far more complex. |
"Many things are happening beneath the surface that we need to be really concerned about. | "Many things are happening beneath the surface that we need to be really concerned about. |
"There's been a real shock for many people; is this really happening in Oxford today? | "There's been a real shock for many people; is this really happening in Oxford today? |
"Humans should not be sold as commodities, that's wrong, absolutely wrong, and we are encouraging everybody in Oxford to open their eyes to what's happening around them." | "Humans should not be sold as commodities, that's wrong, absolutely wrong, and we are encouraging everybody in Oxford to open their eyes to what's happening around them." |
Oxford is a city of contrasts. | Oxford is a city of contrasts. |
It is the sixth most visited UK city by international tourists, but it has some of the most deprived parts of England to the south and east, according to government figures. | It is the sixth most visited UK city by international tourists, but it has some of the most deprived parts of England to the south and east, according to government figures. |
'Violent groups' | 'Violent groups' |
Peppered with fast food outlets and letting agents, the Cowley Road has a diverse mix of students and residents of different ethnic backgrounds. | Peppered with fast food outlets and letting agents, the Cowley Road has a diverse mix of students and residents of different ethnic backgrounds. |
One man, who did not want to be named, said: "There's some violent groups, they don't believe in peace, I guess. | One man, who did not want to be named, said: "There's some violent groups, they don't believe in peace, I guess. |
"[There are] groups of people trying to attack you after midnight, you can have a bunch of people attacking you, it's really not safe sometimes. | "[There are] groups of people trying to attack you after midnight, you can have a bunch of people attacking you, it's really not safe sometimes. |
"In the day it's safe... as soon as it's evening time a lot of different people come out." | "In the day it's safe... as soon as it's evening time a lot of different people come out." |
Simon Pillinger, a young adult worker at Cowley Road Methodist Church, moved to the city from Manchester. | Simon Pillinger, a young adult worker at Cowley Road Methodist Church, moved to the city from Manchester. |
He said: "Whenever you get a concentration of culture you will always attract a darker side. | He said: "Whenever you get a concentration of culture you will always attract a darker side. |
"You see some shady characters but I wouldn't want to pass judgement... it could be perfectly innocent. | "You see some shady characters but I wouldn't want to pass judgement... it could be perfectly innocent. |
"There is very much an outer view of Oxford being all about the university. It's a fairly superficial view; there's always a dark side to any place." | "There is very much an outer view of Oxford being all about the university. It's a fairly superficial view; there's always a dark side to any place." |
Residents admit there are issues but insist they are no different to those faced by other cities. | Residents admit there are issues but insist they are no different to those faced by other cities. |
'Very isolated' | 'Very isolated' |
City councillor Steve Curran said it was dangerous to use the case to criticise the Cowley Road area. | City councillor Steve Curran said it was dangerous to use the case to criticise the Cowley Road area. |
"Whenever you have a crime, there are 150 people that have not committed a crime," he added. | "Whenever you have a crime, there are 150 people that have not committed a crime," he added. |
"Cowley Road is absolutely fine and full of lots of nice people. | "Cowley Road is absolutely fine and full of lots of nice people. |
"I think [this case] in terms of the whole society is very isolated and most people think of it as an isolated occurrence and get on with their lives." | "I think [this case] in terms of the whole society is very isolated and most people think of it as an isolated occurrence and get on with their lives." |
In recent months police have started specialist patrols looking for signs of sexual exploitation. | In recent months police have started specialist patrols looking for signs of sexual exploitation. |
Accompanied by a social worker, they will approach anyone who could be vulnerable, such as young people who are with older men. | Accompanied by a social worker, they will approach anyone who could be vulnerable, such as young people who are with older men. |
Now Oxford is the focus of concerted efforts to prevent a repeat of the problems that have blighted the city, it seems similar abuse is less likely to be an issue here. | Now Oxford is the focus of concerted efforts to prevent a repeat of the problems that have blighted the city, it seems similar abuse is less likely to be an issue here. |
But as the man in charge of Operation Bullfinch points out, what has been uncovered by police in Oxford - as well as in Rochdale, Telford and Derby - will be taking place across the country. | But as the man in charge of Operation Bullfinch points out, what has been uncovered by police in Oxford - as well as in Rochdale, Telford and Derby - will be taking place across the country. |
Det Insp Simon Morton said: "If it happens in Oxford, I can't imagine a city it wouldn't be happening in. | Det Insp Simon Morton said: "If it happens in Oxford, I can't imagine a city it wouldn't be happening in. |
"Operation Bullfinch is the start. It's going to come in many shapes and forms." | "Operation Bullfinch is the start. It's going to come in many shapes and forms." |
Chief Constable Sara Thornton said there were more than 30 other investigations continuing in the Thames Valley force area. | Chief Constable Sara Thornton said there were more than 30 other investigations continuing in the Thames Valley force area. |
"I'm convinced there are organised networks," she said. | "I'm convinced there are organised networks," she said. |
"Whether it's one network or many overlapping networks, I don't know." | "Whether it's one network or many overlapping networks, I don't know." |
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