‘Charlie’ set up for pre-1997 CSE cases

Victims and survivors reporting exploitation pre-dating that time see the National Crime Agency hand back responsibility to South Yorkshire Police.

Now SYP’s own Operation Morph Charlie has seen a major incident room set up with eight full-time staff led by Det Chief Insp Aneela Khalil Khan.

Sixteen suspects have been identified and half of them arrested, a report to police commissioner Dr Alan Billings revealed. Further days of action are planned.

Chief Supt Laura Koscikiewicz, Rotherham’s district commander, said: “The investigation has expanded significantly over time and now consists of six adult victims who are actively engaging with police.

“The offences described occurred in the mid 1990s at various locations across Sheffield and Rotherham.

“The investigation has moved into an arrest phase and eight of the identified suspects have now been arrested.

“The investigation is likely to run for a number of months, with good progress being made.

“SYP anticipate this investigation going to the Crown Prosecution Service later this year.”

Stovewood’s remit is from 1997 to 2013, the period during which Prof Alexis Jay’s report said at least 1,400 young people were victims of CSE in Rotherham.

More than 40 separate investigations are currently running under the NCA’s Stovewood “umbrella,” which is the biggest probe of its kind in the UK.

The cost is estimated to exceed more than £90 million by 2024 — and could be extended beyond that time.