This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-33367342
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| South Wales Police 'did not investigate ID of child sex gang' | South Wales Police 'did not investigate ID of child sex gang' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Police did not try to identify a child sex gang which exploited a 15-year-old girl for four years, a watchdog says. | Police did not try to identify a child sex gang which exploited a 15-year-old girl for four years, a watchdog says. |
| Despite more than 40 child protection forms being completed, South Wales Police did not investigate the men or protect other children. | Despite more than 40 child protection forms being completed, South Wales Police did not investigate the men or protect other children. |
| Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary examined the force earlier this year. | Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary examined the force earlier this year. |
| South Wales Police could not comment in detail about the cases but said "appropriate actions" had been taken. | South Wales Police could not comment in detail about the cases but said "appropriate actions" had been taken. |
| HMIC also identified the case of another 15-year-old girl who had been raped by a pupil at her school. | HMIC also identified the case of another 15-year-old girl who had been raped by a pupil at her school. |
| "Although the initial response was good, the girl was not interviewed for five months," HMIC's Drusilla Sharpling said. | "Although the initial response was good, the girl was not interviewed for five months," HMIC's Drusilla Sharpling said. |
| The report also said South Wales Police does not understand the extent of child exploitation on its patch. | The report also said South Wales Police does not understand the extent of child exploitation on its patch. |
| Inspectors were concerned about: | Inspectors were concerned about: |
| But HMIC was encouraged that: | But HMIC was encouraged that: |
| Ms Sharpling said the force was "clearly committed" and children's welfare was a priority. | Ms Sharpling said the force was "clearly committed" and children's welfare was a priority. |
| "Whilst we saw some quite good practice across the force, there were pockets of poor cases that need to be addressed," she said. | "Whilst we saw some quite good practice across the force, there were pockets of poor cases that need to be addressed," she said. |
| "We were particularly concerned about the difficulties they have in understanding the numbers and the meaning of the numbers of missing children they have in the force area. | "We were particularly concerned about the difficulties they have in understanding the numbers and the meaning of the numbers of missing children they have in the force area. |
| "It's really important they get it right because it might be a symptom of child sex exploitation." | "It's really important they get it right because it might be a symptom of child sex exploitation." |
| The force has been given six weeks to provide HMIC with an action plan on how it will improve the areas criticised. | The force has been given six weeks to provide HMIC with an action plan on how it will improve the areas criticised. |
| Responding to the findings, Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland said the report highlighted areas of good work and improvements were "already under way". | |
| 'More work to do' | 'More work to do' |
| "The cases referred to in the report were not highlighted to us ahead of the report being released, but we have managed to establish the facts surrounding each case," she said. | "The cases referred to in the report were not highlighted to us ahead of the report being released, but we have managed to establish the facts surrounding each case," she said. |
| "Whilst we cannot comment in detail about the cases, because they are live investigations, we can confirm that appropriate actions had already been taken and arrests had been made prior to the HMIC report being released." | "Whilst we cannot comment in detail about the cases, because they are live investigations, we can confirm that appropriate actions had already been taken and arrests had been made prior to the HMIC report being released." |
| "A lot of the areas identified in this report have already been rectified but the challenges we face are mirrored by every force and the best way to resolve problems in relation to child protection is through a successful multi-agency approach," she added. | "A lot of the areas identified in this report have already been rectified but the challenges we face are mirrored by every force and the best way to resolve problems in relation to child protection is through a successful multi-agency approach," she added. |
| Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sophie Howe said it was "pleasing" the report reflected the force's commitment to improving how children are protected, but there was more work to do. | Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sophie Howe said it was "pleasing" the report reflected the force's commitment to improving how children are protected, but there was more work to do. |
| "It will be essential to work with care providers and those who inspect them to support their approach to identifying children at risk and responding when they go missing from care," she said. | "It will be essential to work with care providers and those who inspect them to support their approach to identifying children at risk and responding when they go missing from care," she said. |
| "We need local authorities to keep working with us to put in place more multi-agency safeguarding hubs, and we need everyone to contribute to our understanding of where and when children are at risk so we can all intervene at an earlier stage," she added. | "We need local authorities to keep working with us to put in place more multi-agency safeguarding hubs, and we need everyone to contribute to our understanding of where and when children are at risk so we can all intervene at an earlier stage," she added. |