The Metropolitan Police is reviewing 9,000 cases in a huge new grooming gangs probe despite Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s previous denials any operated in the capital.
The announcement comes after an Express/MyLondon investigation exposed several potential grooming gang cases in London appeared to have been overlooked.
Khan has repeatedly stated there were “no reports” or “indications” that London was blighted by the type of abuse that affected towns like Rochdale and Rotherham.
But on Friday evening, the Met revealed it has 9,000 cases to reassess.
In a letter from Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to the Mayor, London’s top cop tells Khan he is “responding to questions about child sexual exploitation” adding that “any sexual offending against children is abhorrent but group-based offending, including that characterised as ‘Grooming Gangs’, is particularly insidious. And devastating in its profound impact on the children affected.”
He adds that he knows that “historically and across the UK, the cases of these child victims have not always been recognised and thoroughly investigated. Too often, victims have been disbelieved and even judged at times.”
But he added that “the Met is committed to safeguarding all victims of these terrible offences and wherever possible bringing those responsible to justice.”
Hellbound and Down 