Grooming gang inquiry targets London, Bradford and Oldham

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, June 25, 2026

Public inquiries into grooming gang scandals will begin by the end of the year in London, Bradford, and Oldham, investigating how children were exploited and whether authorities failed due to cultural sensitivities. Led by Baroness Longfield with a £65 million budget, the inquiry seeks to hold institutions accountable and prevent future abuses, with evidence potentially referred to the National Crime Agency for criminal investigation.

Public inquiries into grooming gang scandals will begin in London, Bradford, and Oldham, focusing on how children were targeted and exploited in these areas. The statutory inquiry, led by Baroness Longfield, a former children’s commissioner, aims to start the investigations by the end of the year.

The inquiries will explore whether police forces, local councils, and other agencies failed to intervene due to concerns related to the ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds of the perpetrators. Officials suspected of deliberately covering up abuse may face investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Funded with a £65 million budget, the inquiry has the authority to compel witnesses to testify and to demand the submission of documents. Any evidence indicating criminal activity will be referred to the NCA’s Operation Beaconport, which is currently reviewing hundreds of closed cases related to grooming gangs.

Baroness Longfield emphasized the inquiry’s purpose: to uncover why state institutions repeatedly failed victims of abuse and to hold accountable those responsible. She said the objective is to ensure that future inquiries into grooming gangs will not be necessary.

Previous reviews have highlighted systemic issues in some of the selected areas. A 2022 review of Oldham revealed that victims—often vulnerable children from care homes—were ignored or even blamed, with some arrested themselves. The report also confirmed that a gang ringleader was employed as a council welfare rights officer.

In Bradford, a dossier compiled by Robbie Moore, an MP and child abuse specialist, alleged that nearly 8,000 children were at risk of sexual exploitation between 1996 and 2025. The document pointed to long-standing and systematic failures by Bradford council and related agencies to protect children from Asian grooming gangs.

London presents a different challenge due to its size and complexity, involving multiple boroughs and intersecting local, regional, and national agencies. A spokesman for the inquiry noted it would investigate how group-based child sexual exploitation has been identified and addressed in London, including its connections to surrounding areas. The inquiry will also consider concurrent efforts such as work being conducted by the London Assembly.

The initial focus on London, Bradford, and Oldham was based on several factors: victim and survivor experiences, indications of risk or harm, previous reviews and unresolved issues, allegations of institutional or systemic failure, and levels of public concern. Additional areas for inquiry will be announced later this year, and ongoing inquiries will also monitor progress in implementing recommended changes.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.