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A recent report uncovered significant delays in investigations into historical child grooming cases due to heavy redactions by Manchester City Council, making it challenging to assess the evidential value of the information provided. The information came to light during an inspection into Greater Manchester Police’s handling of child sexual exploitation cases, revealing improvements after previous criticisms. The report highlighted the challenges of sharing information between local authorities, leading to delays in investigations and evidence preparation for court cases.
The review commissioned by Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, emphasized the varying agreements among local authorities on information sharing with the police, resulting in operational delays. Operations Green Jacket and Bernese were particularly impacted by these delays, with only one conviction in six years for Operation Green Jacket and ongoing investigations for Operation Bernese. The complex rules surrounding data sharing were cited as the reason for heavily redacted information provided by Manchester City Council, which hampered the assessment of evidential value.
Manchester City Council defended its actions, citing the importance of following the guidelines to avoid jeopardizing prosecutions. Despite the delays and challenges, a new method of working together between GMP, the council, and the Crown Prosecution Service has been agreed upon, allowing investigators to view unredacted documents remotely. The report also praised GMP for its improved approach to investigating child grooming cases and the dedication of resources towards supporting victims. However, training gaps and previous failings have led to an irrevocable loss of trust among some individuals affected by sexual exploitation.
Former detective Maggie Oliver criticized the system for repeatedly failing victims of grooming cases, highlighting the need for improved trust and support. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary noted GMP’s efforts to enhance its understanding and approach to investigating child grooming allegations since 2019. Despite these improvements, the report acknowledged that trust and confidence in the police had been lost for some individuals, posing a challenge to rectifying their experiences. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority and The Crown Prosecution Service have been approached for comment on the findings
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