Shropshire Star

Telford & Wrekin Council may stage own child sexual abuse inquiry

A dedicated council-led inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford has not been ruled out.

Published
Last updated
Telford & Wrekin Council

Councillors at a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet on Thursday said that although they believed a council-led inquiry would be flawed, decisions would be made after the completion of the national Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s Truth Project.

Councillors said a decision would be made based upon independent advice on the work undertaken by partner organisations in stopping child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the borough.

They will also decide upon the scope and effect of any future local inquiry.

Council leader Shaun Davies said: “There is a complete commitment, whichever way we do it in terms of inquiry, that we look into questions that remain unanswered, questions that go back in some cases 20, 30 or 40 years.

"The point of disagreement is how we best get to that position.”

The meeting, which was attended by members of the public and representatives of the national Press, agreed to commit more resources to protecting young people from CSE, and to supporting survivors.

The cabinet said it wanted to support the Truth Project and would look to the voluntary sector to help victims and survivors.

It also agreed to write to the Minister for Transport calling for taxi drivers nationally to be trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.

Opposition Conservatives said that despite the Truth Project coming to the town, a council-led inquiry still needed to be commissioned as soon as possible.

Andrew Eade, leader of the Tory opposition, said: “What price do we put on the future protection of children in the borough?

“I want this council to do the right, proper and decent thing and put in place an inquiry that investigates past and present circumstances and guarantees victims the ability to give their evidence in private.”

The Truth Project will come to Telford next month, with interviews with victims expected to take place across two dates in May and June.

It will allow victims and survivors in Telford to talk about their experiences with child sexual exploitation.

Meanwhile, street protest group The True Democratic Football Lads Alliance plans a protest in the town on Friday.

Campaigners on behalf of the group, which has been accused of having far-right ties, will gather outside Telford Central station from midday.

The Alliance says that it stands against "all forms of extremism".

Stand Up To Racism will gather at the nearby Meeting Point House to stage a counter-protest.