'No no-go areas': Child sex abuse inquiry to look at cultures
"Cultural factors" behind grooming gangs will be investigated, the Home Secretary has said during a speech where he talked of the "horrendous abuse" uncovered in Telford.
Sajid Javid said that an inquiry into grooming gangs would have "no no-go areas".
The Conservative politician made the comments as he outlined his "personal mission" to tackle child abuse in all its forms.
Mr Javid said that he would be asking "difficult questions" about grooming gangs, and wanted to find out if there are cultural aspects behind the abuse.
He said: "We've witnessed horrendous abuse perpetrated by gangs who have been persistent and determined in places like Rotherham, Rochdale, Oxford, Newcastle and Telford.
"Keeping our children safe will be my mission as Home Secretary. I have already been clear that I will ask difficult questions about the gangs who sexually abuse our children.
"There will be no no-go areas of inquiry. I will not let cultural or political sensitivities get in the way of understanding the problem and doing something about it.
"We know that in these recent high-profile cases, where people have been convicted, that those people are disproportionately from a Pakistani background.
"I have instructed my officials to explore the particular context and characteristics of these types of gangs and if the evidence suggests that there are cultural factors that may be driving this type of offending, then I will take action."
Operation Chalice
The issue of child sexual exploitation in Telford came to light as part of Operation Chalice, a police inquiry that resulted in the conviction of seven men who were jailed for a total of 49 years for running a child sex ring in the town in 2013.
The investigation said more than 100 victims could have been abused between 2007 and 2009.
The issue was resurfaced again earlier this year when national reports suggested there could have been as many as 1,000 victims of CSE in Telford over the past 20 years.
Telford MP Lucy Allan has been a prominent campaigner and called for a public inquiry into the issue.
Ms Allan wanted Telford & Wrekin Council to commission the inquiry but the authority initially resisted the request.
However, after considerable pressure the council announced it would commission the independent investigation, which is currently in the process of being set up.
