Prime minister Rishi Sunak launches 'grooming gangs' taskforce on visit to Rochdale

The Prime Minister visited Rochdale today to launch a new 'grooming gangs' taskforce he said would 'make a big difference' to tackling child abuse.

The shadow of child sexual exploitation has long hung over the town since nine men were convicted and jailed in 2012 for a catalogue of serious sex offences against vulnerable victims in Rochdale and Heywood. Shabir Ahmed, who was known as 'Daddy' in the gang, is still serving a 22-year jail term for rape.

A trial heard that girls as young as 12 were plied with alcohol and drugs and raped in rooms above takeaway shops, and ferried to different flats in taxis where cash was paid to use them.

Former detective Maggie Oliver resigned from Greater Manchester Police in 2012 to turn whistle-blower over the force's failings in their cases. Police went on to admit the girls had been 'let down' and 'substantial' pay-outs were made as GMP issued a public apology.

Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman met with senior police officers, including GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson, council leaders and others working on child sexual exploitation at a hotel in Rochdale on Monday. The Prime Minister said he 'won't rest' until the Government makes sure children can grow up safe from abuse.

Asked why the Government had not addressed the issue of grooming gangs sooner, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: "What happened to vulnerable girls here in Rochdale, but in Rotherham and Telford as well at the hands of grooming gangs was simply appalling.

"Last year I said that if I became prime minister I wanted to take decisive action to stamp out this evil and that is what we are announcing today, a new expert police-led taskforce, tougher sentencing, and a new legal duty on those working with