UK Grooming Gangs Inquiry Launches in London, Bradford and Oldham

An independent statutory inquiry into group‑based child sexual exploitation has begun in the United Kingdom. Chaired by former Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield, the inquiry will initially focus on London, Bradford, Oldham and Keighley, examining the actions of Whitehall departments, local councils, the NHS and police forces. It will compel witnesses to explain what they did or failed to do to protect children, and will also assess the role of technology companies in the abuse.

The inquiry follows Louise Casey’s 2025 audit, which identified more than 800 recommendations dating back to the 1990s and highlighted a disproportionate number of cases involving men of Asian ethnicity exploiting white, working‑class girls. Past investigations such as the Jay Report on Rotherham and the IICSA national review revealed systemic failures driven by fear of racism accusations and class bias.

Politically, the inquiry overturns earlier resistance from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had dismissed calls for a new probe as a “far‑right bandwagon”. It also puts pressure on Mayor Sadiq Khan and senior police officials who previously downplayed the scale of grooming gangs in London. Funding for Operation Beaconport, the police review of historic cases, has increased to nearly £38 million this year.

The launch has sparked public debate, including a viral social‑media post questioning the silence of prominent feminists on the abuse. Survivors and campaigners view the inquiry as a turning point toward accountability and justice for thousands of victims.