The national Grooming Gangs Inquiry has announced the first locations that will face investigation. Oldham, Bradford and Keighley, along with London, will be the first areas examined as part of the independent statutory inquiry.
Baroness Anne Longfield CBE will lead the inquiry. The investigation aims to uncover how institutions responded to child sexual abuse cases and whether authorities failed to protect vulnerable children.
Inquiry to Examine Safeguarding Failures
The inquiry has the legal power to require individuals and organizations to provide evidence. Investigators will examine the actions of public bodies and determine whether they took appropriate steps to protect children from abuse.
The review will focus on the role of government departments, local councils, police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the NHS. Officials will assess how these organizations handled reports of abuse and whether they responded effectively.
Previous Cases Will Also Be Reviewed
The inquiry will revisit locations that have already undergone reviews, including Oxford and Rotherham. Investigators want to determine whether authorities implemented meaningful reforms following earlier findings.
The goal is not only to understand past failures but also to evaluate whether current safeguarding measures are strong enough to prevent similar crimes in the future.
Survivors Welcome Bradford Investigation
Abuse survivor Fiona Goddard welcomed the decision to include Bradford in the inquiry. She described the announcement as a major relief and said the city had avoided detailed scrutiny for many years.
According to Goddard, victims deserve answers and accountability. She believes the inquiry should examine not only the offenders but also those responsible for safeguarding decisions. She argued that some officials failed to protect vulnerable children and contributed to wider institutional failures.
Goddard previously stepped down from the inquiry panel in October 2025. She raised concerns about the backgrounds of some shortlisted chairs, particularly those with experience in policing and social services.
Political Leaders Support the Inquiry
Keighley and Ilkley Conservative MP Robbie Moore praised the decision to investigate Bradford. He called it an important step toward uncovering the truth and delivering justice for victims who have waited years for answers.
A spokesperson for London Mayor Sadiq Khan also welcomed the inquiry. They said every victim deserves justice and acknowledged that many children suffered abuse while authorities failed to protect them.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch described the announcement as a significant move toward establishing the full facts surrounding these cases.
Victims’ Representatives Call for Accountability
Amy Clowrey, director at Switalskis Solicitors in Wakefield, said many victims had repeatedly requested investigations into safeguarding failures. She believes the inquiry will reveal the true scale of abuse and expose shortcomings within public institutions.
As hearings begin, survivors, families, and campaigners hope the investigation will uncover the truth, identify failures, and help prevent future abuse.
