Anna Dixon MP urges Grooming Gangs Inquiry Chair to “Listen to victims and survivors” in Bradford

Anna Dixon MP in the House of Commons

Anna Dixon MP has today called on the Chair of the new National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs to “come to Bradford and listen to victims and survivors”. 

In a public letter to chair Baroness Anne Longfield, Ms Dixon stated that she “unequivocally” supports any action to bring about swifter justice for victims and would support the national inquiry having a specific focus “on West Yorkshire and specific local authorities, such as Bradford”.  

The Labour Government established the inquiry late last year, following recommendations from a June 2025 national audit conducted by Baroness Louise Casey. The inquiry aims to investigate historic and current institutional failures regarding group-based child sexual exploitation (CSE) in England and Wales.   

The Shipley MP’s letter comes after she verbally invited Baroness Longfield to Bradford during a House of Commons debate in December, and led the sending of a letter expressing similar sentiments to then incoming inquiry chair in September 2025, which was also signed by 10 other West Yorkshire MPs.  

In her letter sent this week, Anna Dixon MP wrote:  

“I am writing to welcome your appointment as the chair of the Independent Inquiry into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse to again reiterate my support for a focus on West Yorkshire and specific local authorities, such as Bradford, as part of the new inquiry.  

“Group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), committed by grooming gangs, is one of the most horrendous crimes imaginable and leads to lasting, often lifelong, harm for victims. I unequivocally support any action that delivers swifter justice and improves support for victims and survivors. 

“I fully support the position of Bradford Council and our West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, who have already written to the Home Secretary to offer to participate in the National Inquiry. I also welcome the decisive action this government has taken to implement the findings of the Jay Review and Baroness Casey’s National Audit in 2025. 

“Throughout my time as the Member of Parliament for the Shipley constituency, I have met with and listened to many victims, survivors, and the organisations that support them to better understand the work being done to secure justice for victims, support survivors, and prevent future abuse and sexual exploitation in West Yorkshire. 

“I can assure you that I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure the success of the inquiry and to facilitate the full participation of West Yorkshire and our local authorities. I would personally like to invite you to West Yorkshire to meet with victims, survivors, and our local Members of Parliament.”