SEX GROOMING: Police commissioner candidates speak out

TACKLING child sex abuse has become top priority for candidates vying to be South Yorkshire’s first Police Commissioner

Speaking in the wake of the latest revelation about the grooming of young Rotherham girls for sex, Lib-Dem candidate Robert Teal said:  “Derelictions of duty must be dealt with wherever they lie and those that have been let down deserve justice.

“It is clear that senior members sitting on the Police Authority have failed in their duty. We need to ensure that this can never be allowed to happen again.

“We also need to demonstrate to those local people who have lost confidence that our thoroughly decent rank and file police officers can be trusted to keep us safe.”

Labour's candidate Shaun Wright said: “I will ensure greater priority is given to the prevention of the most heinous crimes against our children and thus help to safeguard our children from the evil cowards who carry out these awful crimes.

“As someone who has worked with children’s safeguarding professionals including in the roles of magistrate, councillor, school governor and children’s charity trustee you can rest assured of my unfailing commitment to meet this challenge head-on.

“There is no place in our community for this vile form of abuse.”

Tory candidate Nigel Bonson spent 30 years with Greater Manchester Police, rising to the rank of chief inspector.

He said: “As a police officer I have investigated these matters and brought people to justice. If ever there was a crime that demanded a robust partnership approach then this is it.

“The police role must be central to the response. The police however, are often in practice called to act further down the line, after suspicions arise.

“Early detection and a rigorous response by all agencies is critical. Educators must educate, social services must respond, all front line workers must be trained to spot signs, the public must report and the police must investigate.

“This is not a simple matter of resources.

“As PCC I would expect resources to be moved from almost any other area in response to this.”

The PCC elections are November 8.

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