Six arrests made in Telford child-sex ring inquiry

SIX PEOPLE were arrested today in connection with a child-sex ring involving teenage girls in Telford after a series of swoops across the country.

The five men and a woman are allegedly part of a gang which groomed girls aged between 13 and 15 for sex with other men.

Detectives made the first arrests outside of the county as part of phase three of an operation into human trafficking and sexual offences.

Officers from Telford travelled to West Yorkshire, Berkshire and West Sussex to make arrests this morning. One man was arrested in each area, while two men and a woman were arrested today in the Telford area.

They are currently in custody at three police stations in the West Mercia area.

The case involves the sexual exploitation of nine teenage girls but officers believe there could be up to 40 victims and urged parents to watch for the warning signs of grooming.

Detective Superintendent Steve Cullen, the senior investigating officer, said that the cale of the operation was demonstrated by the fact that they had not only executed warrants in Telford, but also in West Sussex, West Yorkshire and Berkshire.

He added: "This whole investigation began because local people came forward with their concerns about unusual behaviour in their communities and I would again encourage anyone with concerns about sexual behaviour of any sort to come forward and report that to us."

Telford police have been working for several months with Telford & Wrekin Council, the local primary care trust, the UK Human Trafficking Centre and the Serious Organised Crime Agency's vulnerable persons team.

The first arrests were made in October with further swoops in the new year.

Ten men are on police bail and another man is in custody. They are due to appear before Shrewsbury Crown Court on August 27. The charges include trafficking girls for sexual exploitation and the supply of class A and B drugs.

Any information or concerns about their children can call police 0300 333 3000 or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman