The Independent Grooming Gangs Inquiry has today published their local area investigation criteria and announced that Oldham, London, Bradford & Keighley will be in the first tranche of local investigations.
The announcement sets out that the criteria for the future selection of local area investigations will include quantitative data, public concern, victim and survivor accounts, previous reviews, institutional context, safeguarding indicators, and the potential for wider learning.
The Chair of the Inquiry, Baroness Longfield, has said that these initial areas of investigation represent the beginning of a broader programme of work, and further locations will be considered in due course using this criteria-based approach.
I have been clear that I support the inclusion of Barrow-in-Furness as an area for local investigation. This has been an issue that has impacted Barrow, resulting in the conviction of the Miah brothers in February last year. These cases demonstrate that grooming and organised abuse have taken place in the town, and they underline the need for a thorough examination of the crimes and the responses of institutions to them.
I have this week written to the inquiry to once again ask for Barrow to be included in the investigation.
See the letter in full below.
