National Crime Agency probe into Rotherham child sex abuse scandal set to take years

February 19, 2021

The National Crime Agency probe into the Rotherham child sex abuse scandal is set to continue for ‘several years to come’. The top level investigation was launched in response to an independent report by Professor Alexa Jay, who was asked to look at the issue of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham and discovered that 1,400 children had been abused by men of predominantly Pakistani heritage over a 16-year period while those in authority failed to act.

South Yorkshire Police and Rotherham Council were criticised for their failings.

The NCA launched Operation Stovewood in 2014 to investigate historic cases and so far 180 arrests have been made, with a warning of more to come. . . The NCA has revealed that as part of Operation Stovewood there are around 40 active investigations under way, with more than 600 victims spoken to.

Funding for the investigation and 200 members of staff comes from The Home Office and South Yorkshire Police, with the bill running into millions so far.

There are plans to recruit another 50 people because of the scale of the investigation.

Mr Marshall added: “There is no formal date set for the end of the operation, and given the importance of the work to be done, it will continue for several years to come. The treatment and support to the last victim is as important as the support to the first and it is incumbent on us all to ensure that is the case. . .” At face value this is jolly good. We know the defendants get released from prison quite quickly and return to the area to glare and intimidate their victims as the women try to go about their lawful business in their home town. Even if ordered to be deported they are not rounded up and removed. And worst of all we know it is still happening.