Update on “grooming gangs” investigations
Earlier this week, the National Crime Agency announced that, following their review of previously closed cases into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, the first set of cases where lines of inquiry may have been missed have now been referred to eight police forces for reinvestigation.
Those forces have been told to reopen the cases and consider what further investigation is needed.
What is Operation Beaconport?
Operation Beaconport was launched last year in response to Baroness Casey’s recommendations into group-based sexual exploitation, otherwise known as “grooming gangs”.
It is currently examining cases of sexual violence and abuse that were reported to police between January 2010 and March 2025, involved two or more suspects, and where a decision was made by police or the CPS to take no further action.
All police forces in England and Wales have now shared the relevant case information, and the Operation Beaconport team will be reviewing referrals to determine which should now be reopened.
Initial reviews have indicated that potential lines of inquiry in some cases had been missed due to “human error.”
Rape Crisis England & Wales welcomes this week’s announcement. We want justice for survivors.
However, Casey’s findings were very clear: too many victims and survivors were not listened to, not believed, and not supported in the way they should be. This must not be repeated, and police must learn from their mistakes.
Many survivors of group-based child rape and sexual abuse (CRaSA) are further traumatised by a criminal justice system that was meant to protect them. It’s important for police to bear this in mind at all stages of Operation Beaconport, especially where police-initiated contact is involved.
Start of a much longer press release at https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/rcew-welcomes-police-decision-to-reinvestigate-closed-grooming-gangs-cases/