At a recent council meeting held on Thursday night, Conservative councillors from Darwen South proposed a motion demanding a full statutory inquiry into the ongoing issue of grooming gangs, labeling it a pressing “national scandal.” The discussion emerged against a backdrop of rising public concern regarding child exploitation, especially in light of revelations about historic and systemic failures to protect vulnerable young people from predatory individuals and groups.
The motion comes on the heels of an announcement made by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in mid-January. Cooper unveiled plans for a nationwide review of evidence related to grooming gangs and outlined five local inquiries endorsed by the government. However, she notably abstained from initiating a new statutory national inquiry, which many believe is essential to thoroughly investigate the complexities of the issue. This decision has understandably sparked frustration and disappointment among various local council members, particularly those advocating for more decisive action in combating child exploitation.
The history of concerns surrounding grooming gangs in East Lancashire stretches back to 2005 when the Lancashire Telegraph embarked on its pioneering “Keep Them Safe” campaign. The initiative was ignited after the newspaper uncovered disturbing details about older men, often of South Asian heritage, engaging in the grooming of young, vulnerable girls. This groundbreaking piece of investigative journalism brought critical attention to a deeply troubling issue that had previously remained marginalized and inadequately addressed by local authorities. The revelations catalyzed a movement, prompting various sectors— including the police, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s social services, health organizations, and children’s charities—to collaborate in 2006 to establish the Operation Engage team, designed specifically to address child sexual exploitation. This multi-disciplinary approach has proven instrumental, significantly increasing prosecution rates and providing a more integrated response to the needs of at-risk youth.
During the meeting, Cllr Kevin Connor, one of the proponents of the motion, articulated the council’s responsibilities as representatives of the public. He framed the demand for a new statutory inquiry as a necessary response to what he described as an “inadequately addressed” national scandal. Cllr Connor’s compelling argument urged fellow council members to consider the moral imperative of protecting vulnerable children from sexual abuse, emphasizing the importance of collective action. “Vote according to your conscience,” Cllr Connor urged. He called upon his colleagues to pass the motion unanimously, demonstrating a resolute commitment to harness all available resources to safeguard the community’s children and to deliver justice for the victims of grooming gangs. “Without fear or favor, this council must act decisively.”
The meeting took a different turn when Cllr Julie Gunn, who heads children’s services, successfully moved an amendment that replaced the demand for a new statutory national inquiry with a push for the immediate implementation of the twenty recommendations put forth by Baroness Jay in her inquiry from 2022. Cllr Gunn expressed her firm belief that safeguarding children within Blackburn with Darwen is a top priority. “We will never be complacent,” she asserted. Cllr Gunn emphasized the innovative and proactive partnerships that have been established over the years to combat child sexual exploitation and emphasized the critical nature of ongoing efforts to protect children at risk.
“For more than 18 years, we have collaborated closely with our police partners to address concerns about abuse in any form,” Cllr Gunn noted, highlighting the effectiveness of the Engage team that has been a trailblazer in child protection responses. Drawing attention to the importance of maintaining the focus on victims, she expressed concern that the experiences of those affected might become lost amid discussions about instituting yet another inquiry.
Contributing to the discourse, Labour councillor Elaine Whittingham from Ewood remarked on the collaborative efforts that have characterized the response to grooming gangs in the borough. She praised the creation of Operation Engage and the initiatives that stemmed from the “Keep Them Safe” campaign, acknowledging the collective roles of officers, politicians, and community organizations in tackling the issue. Cllr Whittingham defended the success of local and targeted responses, countering the assumption that there had been widespread cover-ups regarding the exploitation of children. “This issue was not overlooked everywhere; in fact, significant work was achieved here,” she asserted.
Her viewpoint resonated with the notion that inquiries should be localized, focusing on areas where problems are evident, rather than calling for sweeping national investigations that may not address specific, entrenched local issues. “We can’t ignore the successes we’ve had right here in Blackburn with Darwen,” she concluded, advocating for the current strategy rather than revisiting past controversies.
Cllr Vicky McGurk, responsible for overseeing borough finances, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the broader context of child and youth sexual abuse in varying settings, not just within the framework of grooming gangs. Cllr McGurk, a survivor of sexual abuse herself, articulated the urgent need for action over inquiry, offering a personal testament to the impact of such violations and highlighting that victims crave tangible measures rather than another bureaucratic investigation. “Taking it from a victim—another inquiry is not what we need. It’s action,” she passionately stated, calling for a collective commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in the community.
The conversation surrounding this motion and its subsequent amendment indicates the growing urgency for local authorities to confront and combat child exploitation. The complexity of the issue is compounded by the myriad factors influencing vulnerability among young people, including socioeconomic challenges, cultural dynamics, and shifts in public perception regarding consent and sexual behavior. The interplay between local responses and national guidelines creates a complex landscape in which effective solutions must navigate existing frameworks while maintaining a clear focus on the needs and rights of victims.
While Cllr Connor and the Conservative group maintain the stance that a national inquiry is vital for a comprehensive understanding and response to grooming in society, others caution against the potential for another extensive investigation to detract from local efforts and dilute the momentum built toward safeguarding measures already in place.
In the context of Blackburn with Darwen, this council meeting epitomizes a microcosm of the national conversation regarding child protection and the failure to address the systemic nature of grooming gang-related child sexual exploitation. As such discussions unfold, the experiences of victims and the importance of prioritizing action over procedural delay form the heart of advocacy efforts aimed at reforming policies to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
Moreover, Blackburn with Darwen illustrates a unique case study of a community grappling with the serious implications of grooming gangs, the effectiveness of local interventions, and the balance between national oversight and grassroots engagement. The ongoing dialogue among elected officials regarding the best approach to tackling these issues signifies a critical moment in the wider effort to combat child exploitation, reinforcing the call for a unified strategy that prioritizes the welfare and voices of children.
As the council looks forward to future discussions and actions emanating from this meeting, the emphasis will remain on ensuring that all children are safeguarded against exploitation and that efforts continue to not only address the issues already recognized but to proactively prevent potential future incidents. The compelling testimonies and policy debates presented within this context not only contribute to altering narratives around grooming gangs but also resonate with the broader goal of fostering environments where children feel secure, supported, and protected.