Protesters gathered in Rochdale town centre, today, Saturday 19 July, to call for justice for survivors of child sexual abuse, amid anger over the decision not to deport convicted grooming gang members.
A protest in Rochdale town centre today, Saturday, 19 July, saw campaigners and residents demand accountability over historic child sexual exploitation (CSE) cases in the borough, specifically calling out the failure to deport three men convicted in the town’s most notorious grooming gang case.
The demonstration, titled “Enough is Enough”, was held outside Rochdale Town Hall and drew dozens of locals, councillors and residents. The protest was sparked by the news that three men, previously convicted for their roles in the abuse and trafficking of underage girls, will not be deported, despite losing two appeals.
Campaigner and long-time activist Billy, who led the protest, said during the speech: “Rochdale has been one of the worst-hit towns when it comes to the abuse of children. There’s been institutional failure for decades, not just from grooming gangs but also from care homes like Knowl View and Foxholes. We’ve had enough of the cover-ups. We’re here to demand that the truth finally comes out and those responsible are held to account.”
Billy, who said he has been campaigning on this issue for more than 20 years, accused the authorities of turning a blind eye to repeated warnings. “They spent millions on reports like Baroness Casey’s just to confirm what many of us were saying all along. Children have suffered because of decisions made by the state. It’s time for accountability.”
During the speech, the following councillors were namechecked on being present: Councillor Farooq Ahmed, who recently called for an emergency town hall meeting to address Rochdale’s handling of grooming gang cases. He was joined by other local representatives, including Councillor Mina and Councillor Jordan, who pledged cross-party support for a survivor-led inquiry.
Many of the protesters emphasised the importance of unity, with Billy noting that “brown and white need to unite” to stop child abuse. “Even many of the Asian lads here support what we’re doing. They’re sick to death of being tarred with the same brush. This isn’t about race, it’s about protecting children.”
Karina, a local mother who joined the protest, said she no longer feels safe in town. “My daughter’s 20 now, and I still don’t like her coming here on her own. We know people who’ve been affected. It’s always there, hanging over us.”
One speaker cited figures from the Casey Review stating that Greater Manchester Police had investigated 35 grooming gangs in the last three years alone. Another speaker said over 4,000 children had received police cautions for prostitution, a term they condemned as institutional victim-blaming. “There’s no such thing as a child prostitute,” he said. “That’s child abuse, plain and simple.”
While the protest remained peaceful, frustration was palpable as residents called for greater transparency, tougher safeguarding, and independent scrutiny into the handling of past and current CSE cases.
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