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Police 'sorry' over Rochdale child sex abuse failures Police 'sorry' over Rochdale child sex abuse failures
(about 3 hours later)
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has admitted it should have focused more on investigating sex abuse in Rochdale than examining victims' credibility.Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has admitted it should have focused more on investigating sex abuse in Rochdale than examining victims' credibility.
The force apologised after a review highlighted failures "at individual and force level" into its dealings with victims between 2008 and 2010.The force apologised after a review highlighted failures "at individual and force level" into its dealings with victims between 2008 and 2010.
Police chiefs were "distracted" by achieving targets on burglary and other crime, the report said.Police chiefs were "distracted" by achieving targets on burglary and other crime, the report said.
But no disciplinary action will be taken against any officers, GMP said. However, no officers will face any misconduct proceedings, GMP said.
Grooming networkGrooming network
The review, which examined police misconduct, was conducted by the police force with supervision from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).The review, which examined police misconduct, was conducted by the police force with supervision from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
It focused on the initial investigation into sexual assaults on two girls - which came to police attention in 2008 - and wider decisions made by the leadership in the force's Rochdale division.It focused on the initial investigation into sexual assaults on two girls - which came to police attention in 2008 - and wider decisions made by the leadership in the force's Rochdale division.
One victim's allegation of abuse was initially not prosecuted after the Crown Prosecution Service considered her to be unreliable, the review said.One victim's allegation of abuse was initially not prosecuted after the Crown Prosecution Service considered her to be unreliable, the review said.
It was only after the second girl made similar claims in December 2009 that detectives began Operation Span into allegations of child sex abuse.It was only after the second girl made similar claims in December 2009 that detectives began Operation Span into allegations of child sex abuse.
GMP found more than 40 vulnerable girls across Rochdale and Heywood were subjected to grooming by a network of men, mostly takeaway workers and taxi drivers.GMP found more than 40 vulnerable girls across Rochdale and Heywood were subjected to grooming by a network of men, mostly takeaway workers and taxi drivers.
In 2012, nine men, eight of Pakistani and one of Afghan heritage, were jailed for crimes including rape, trafficking and child sex abuse, with sentences ranging from four to 10 years.In 2012, nine men, eight of Pakistani and one of Afghan heritage, were jailed for crimes including rape, trafficking and child sex abuse, with sentences ranging from four to 10 years.
'Victims let down''Victims let down'
Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley admitted there had been a "complete lack of understanding" of child exploitation in Rochdale and a failure to recognise the "scale of abuse".Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley admitted there had been a "complete lack of understanding" of child exploitation in Rochdale and a failure to recognise the "scale of abuse".
Although the review was conducted internally, it was being published due to "significant public interest", she added.Although the review was conducted internally, it was being published due to "significant public interest", she added.
Seven officers were served misconduct notices but only one now-retired detective inspector was described as having a "case to answer".Seven officers were served misconduct notices but only one now-retired detective inspector was described as having a "case to answer".
Therefore no disciplinary action will be taken against any officers, who have all been offered further training, GMP said. Therefore no action will be taken against any officers, who have all been offered further training, GMP said.
Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said the report showed there was "there was a culture in GMP, which turned a blind eye to those sorts of crimes".Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said the report showed there was "there was a culture in GMP, which turned a blind eye to those sorts of crimes".
ACC Copley acknowledged that "victims were let down".ACC Copley acknowledged that "victims were let down".
"We apologise to the victims and we give them our assurance that lessons have been learned, changes have been made and we are determined to use this to continue making improvements," she said."We apologise to the victims and we give them our assurance that lessons have been learned, changes have been made and we are determined to use this to continue making improvements," she said.