I met recently with Baroness Longfield and other panel members from the Statutory Independent Commission on Grooming Gangs.
The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs is a national inquiry investigating the sexual abuse and exploitation of children by grooming gangs and the failures of institutions responsible for protecting them.
I have been calling on the inquiry to include Barrow in Furness in their work due to the conviction of the Miah Brothers in February 2025 for offences committed in Leeds and Barrow between 1996 and 2010.
I am therefore pleased that the Commission has said that it will visit Barrow as part of its work, and I have asked that they are in early contact with local victims and survivors when they plan their visit.
Baroness Longfield was clear that the inquiry will continue to select areas for local investigation as its work develops based on their criteria and the evidence they will gather through their national work.
I want to make sure that anyone locally with information or experiences that might be relevant to the inquiry is able to contribute. I asked that the inquiry make it as straightforward as possible for people to come forward with relevant information and experiences.
Since we spoke, the Inquiry has published guidance on sharing unsolicited evidence and whistleblowing on their website. They have told me they are also developing further opportunities for people to contribute evidence and engage with the Inquiry as their work progresses. You can find out more about how to do so by visiting https://www.grooming-gangs.independent-inquiry.uk/contact-us/