“Listen to the victims and survivors in Bradford” Shipley MP says to new grooming gangs inquiry chair

Anna Dixon MP speaks in debate statement on Grooming Gangs: Independent Inquiry

Shipley MP Anna Dixon has called on the newly appointed chair of the inquiry into child sexual abuse by grooming gangs to come to Bradford and “listen to the victims and survivors”. 

Yesterday, it was announced that Baroness Anne Longfield will lead the inquiry, which will comprise a series of targeted local investigations into the group-based child sexual exploitation of girls by grooming gangs and is expected to last three years. 

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, during a statement from the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, Anna Dixon MP said: “I recently met victims and survivors in West Yorkshire, including representatives of the Bradford survivor leadership group. 

“They were very clear that they wanted to ensure the implementation of the findings of past inquiries, and I am glad that this Government has wasted no time in implementing the findings of the Jay review. 

“Secondly, victims and survivors want us to learn from good practice. I recommend that the incoming chair, Baroness Longfield, look at some of what the West Yorkshire police are doing.

“The third thing they asked for was ongoing engagement, so I would like to invite Baroness Longfield to come and listen to the victims and survivors in Bradford and West Yorkshire.”

In response, the Home Secretary said: “I am sure that the chair and panel have heard my hon. Friend’s request that they visit the area.

“Baroness Longfield knows Bradford well, having gone there to help turn around children’s services in the local authority in relation to a different matter. 

“The inquiry will make recommendations about what we need to do at national level to learn the lessons and make sure that such criminality cannot take place again. 

“I will talk to Baroness Longfield about how we can ensure that we do not lose current good practice while we wait for the final recommendations of the inquiry.”

In September, Anna Dixon MP sent a public letter to the then-unannounced Chair of the National Inquiry to express specific support for a focus on West Yorkshire and local authorities, such as Bradford, as part of the new National Inquiry into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

Following the statement in the House of Commons yesterday, the Shipley MP added: “I welcome the appointment of Baroness Anne Longfield as the Chair of the Inquiry. 

“Child sexual exploitation and abuse, carried out by grooming gangs, is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable and leads to lasting harm for victims. I hope the inquiry will identify past failures, hold those to account who covered up crimes, and bring justice for victims and survivors.

“I strongly support the words of the Home Secretary who said that we must root out the evil of child abuse ‘once and for all’, and that this Inquiry will be a ‘moment of reckoning’. 

“I am committed to doing everything within my power to ensure the success of the Inquiry and to facilitate the full participation of West Yorkshire and our local authorities.”