An MP for Heywood and Middleton North has welcomed the formal start of a national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs across England and Wales.
Elsie Blundell said the inquiry marks a significant step towards addressing historic child sexual exploitation and failures by institutions to protect victims.
In an open letter to constituents, she described the lasting impact of grooming gang offences on communities in Heywood, Rochdale and surrounding areas, stating that lives have been damaged and trust in safeguarding bodies has been undermined.
She said she had raised the issue in the House of Commons following the 2024 general election and had met Home Office ministers to press for action, sharing concerns from local residents.
Ms Blundell said the inquiry will examine how grooming gangs operated and how organisations including police, local authorities, health services, social care and schools responded. It will also consider why victims were often not believed or were blamed, and whether factors such as ethnicity, culture or religion influenced offending or institutional responses.
The inquiry will be chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield, a former Children’s Commissioner, alongside panel members Zoe Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE. It has legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and require documents from organisations.
Local investigations will take place in areas where serious failings have been identified. Oldham has been confirmed among the first locations, with further areas to be announced under a framework expected within three months.
Public hearings will be live streamed and transcripts published. Findings will be released during the course of the inquiry, which is expected to conclude by March 2029.
Ms Blundell said rebuilding trust must be central to the process and that the focus should remain on victims and survivors.
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