Crime commissioner backs grooming abuse inquiry

A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has backed calls for a UK-wide child sex abuse inquiry.

The government resisted calls for a new national inquiry last week, arguing the findings from a previous report into child sexual abuse are still to be implemented.

Thames Valley Conservative PCC Matthew Barber said the absence of a new inquiry could lead to a "lack of public confidence".

Number 10 previously said "there will be a range of views" on the issue of a new inquiry, adding that the government would be "guided and led by the victims and survivors".

Barber said holding a public inquiry was as much about reassuring the public as it was about learning about the issue.

"This isn't just about what we learn from the review, it's as much about public confidence at this stage," he said.

"We've got a wider public debate going on here and there's some real concern amongst the public that issues aren't being properly addressed."

He said politicians "often jump to inquiries very easily", but that there were "very few things as important as children's safety".

His comments come 10 years after a serious case review into child sexual exploitation in Oxford found systemic failings among police and social services.

Operation Bullfinch in Oxford led to more than 20 convictions for men who had taken part in the sexual abuse of girls in the city in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The review in 2015 found many chances to stop the abuse were missed.

Barber said that, while there were still risks "everywhere for our children", Thames Valley Police had learnt from the review, and took a more "joined-up" and proactive approach to the issue.

But he said that did not remove the need for a UK-wide public inquiry.

He added any inquiry should be "carefully framed" to look closely at the problem.

"It shouldn't be following headlines purely around ethnicity.

"It ought to be looking at what the causes and opportunities to change that behaviour are," he added.

Labour ministers have said their priority is to implement the recommendations of the previous report, and last week, home secretary Yvette Cooper said one of the key points - mandatory reporting - would be added to the Crime and Policing Bill.

Last week, Labour MPs also voted down an amendment from the Conservatives which contained a call for a national inquiry, because it would have killed off the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a major piece of government legislation.

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