MPs demand police action over Rotherham sex grooming

SOUTH Yorkshire Police have been told to “get a grip” on Rotherham’s child grooming issue by the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Chf Con David Crompton and Det Chf Insp Philip Aldridge were called to give evidence on Tuesday  — and asked for another update in a month.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz said: “I had hoped that when you came to give evidence on grooming that you would come to this committee with some fresh information.

“I’m very disappointed because I don’t think that South Yorkshire has got a grip on this very, very difficult subject.

“I’m very surprised that nobody has been prosecuted this year and that you haven’t initiated an inquiry into all these very serious allegations about the number of victims that are involved.”

He added: “We appreciate that the number of officers has increased enormously. However this is an issue for the police and this committee’s message is that we need to get a grip.”

Mr Crompton said the situation at SYP is very different to the one a few years ago.

He added: “Not only have we got more dedicated resources but we have a number of ongoing inquiries.

“Things have certainly moved on and the extra resource has given us the opportunity to go after the offenders to a greater degree.”

DCI Aldridge said: “Co-location has worked. The live investigations that we are undertaking are beginning to get the confidence of the girls that have been affected by these crimes.

“We have engaged with the Crown Prosecution Service at an early stage to see which is the best way to obtain evidence.”

Are the authorities doing enough to tackle the problem of grooming in Rotherham? What action would you like to see taken? Use the 'write a comment' buttons to post your views below.

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