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Police 'sorry' over Rochdale child sex abuse failures Police 'sorry' over Rochdale child sex abuse failures
(35 minutes later)
Sex abuse in Rochdale should have been investigated more thoroughly, rather than officers examining victims' credibility, police have admitted.Sex abuse in Rochdale should have been investigated more thoroughly, rather than officers examining victims' credibility, police have admitted.
Greater Manchester Police apologised after a review highlighted failures "at individual and force level" into its dealings with victims from 2008-2010.Greater Manchester Police apologised after a review highlighted failures "at individual and force level" into its dealings with victims from 2008-2010.
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.
However, no officers will face any misconduct proceedings, GMP said.However, no officers will face any misconduct proceedings, GMP said.
One former detective told the BBC there were probably hundreds of men involved in child sex exploitation in the town and that it was a national problem.
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'
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 because of "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 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.
'Victims let down'
Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said the report showed 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 "a culture in GMP, which turned a blind eye to those sorts of crimes".
ACC Copley acknowledged that "victims were let down". Former Det Con Margaret Oliver, who resigned from the force in 2013 over the treatment of such crimes, said there were "probably hundreds of men" involved in child sexual exploitation.
"This isn't something that goes away. These men are now in very sophisticated gang networks and have been allowed to develop their skills in grooming and abusing young girls.
"I could probably name 100 men that I am aware of and I'm one officer on one tiny sub-division in Greater Manchester.
"This is not just a problem with Greater Manchester - it's a national problem and the powers-that-be are more concerned with protecting their reputations than really getting to grips with it."
She said one of the main problems was the failure to record crimes "adequately", which she said led to crimes being recorded as sexual activity with a child "when they should have been rape".
Ms Oliver also criticised Operation Span, which she said was "put together to put right what was wrong in 2008 and 2009" but still saw those taken to court as a result of the operation "still not charged with rape [but] mainly with trafficking offences".
Ms 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.