Sarah Champion MP reacts to publication of Operation Linden - Learning and Recommendations by IOPC

“I welcome the publication of the IOPC’s recommendations. While it is clear from the report that South Yorkshire Police has improved its approach to tacking Child Sexual Exploitation, it is equally clear that there is much more to do to ensure that all victims and survivors of CSE receive the level of service, care and support to which they are entitled.’

‘It is deeply concerning that the report suggests that improvements made following inspections of South Yorkshire Police in 2014 may have stalled, or even deteriorated in some areas. Improvement in tackling Child Sexual Exploitation cannot be a finite process but must be sustained and long lasting. It is therefore imperative that South Yorkshire Police renews and maintains its focus on delivering improvement for the long term.’

‘I am also troubled that the report found that crimes involving vulnerable adults and children reported directly to South Yorkshire Police’s public protection department were not always being recorded. It is crucial that all reports of possible CSE are recorded, even where it does not prove possible to pursue further action. Without accurate records, warning signs can be missed, and victims left vulnerable to further exploitation. South Yorkshire Police must rectify this as a matter of urgency.’

‘A persistent theme of the report is the need to include the voices of survivors of CSE throughout the force’s response. In my own work with survivors of CSE, I have found their input to be invaluable and I hope that South Yorkshire Police will act to ensure that their voices, silenced for so many years, are at the heart of their approach moving forward.’

‘I have long called for action to address the ongoing problem of criminalisation of victims of child sexual exploitation and I therefore particularly welcome the IOPC’s recommendations in this regard. It is a sad reality of CSE that victims often receive criminal convictions as a consequence of their abuse. These convictions have a severe and lasting impact upon their future life prospects. Indeed, they continue to be held against them, even by Government agencies, like the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.’  

‘The publication of the report provides a valuable opportunity for South Yorkshire Police to reflect on how it tackles Child Sexual Exploitation. They must now implement the IOPC’s recommendations in full and ensure that the communities they serve can have confidence that the force will approach all investigations into child sexual exploitation with vigour, professionalism and compassion.”