Tackling Telford child sex abuse is main priority, says council

The council defended its position at a meeting of the cabinet last night.

"This council has always been open to a public inquiry," said Paul Watling, cabinet member for children's services.

He said: "As a father and grandfather I am truly sickened by this crime. Some very terrible things happened to a number of children and young people in Telford and Wrekin 10, 20, 30 years ago.

"Yes, our services missed signs 20 to 30 years ago and we regret this. But so did everyone else's because awareness was very different at this time.

"Some media have tried to paint a picture of cover up. Nothing could be further from the truth.

More coverage on the Telford abuse scandal

• Home office says Telford authorities must decide if abuse inquiry is needed

• New abuse ‘could not go undetected’ today

• 'They threatened my family - there was nowhere to hide'

• Telford sex-crime claims 'sensationalised', says police chief

"The Home Office has said that the council undertook a robust review which does not suggest it is a council in denial.

"I wish I could say that today there are no cases of abuse in our borough. The truth is that this vile and evil crime is happening here as it is in every major town and city in the UK. One case here is too many."

Telford & Wrekin Council last night released following statement on the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the town:

"The council wishes to make clear that it has called for a government-commissioned independent expert inquiry on CSE in Telford

The Home Office has said issues affecting Telford will be covered by the national Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) headed by Prof Alexis Jay OBE.

The council believes only a statutory centrally-commissioned independent expert inquiry can meet public expectations and secure public trust in such a process.

This is because:

• An independent inquiry commissioned and scoped by the council risks not being seen as impartial. Such an inquiry must be truly independent – if the council appoints someone to investigate and agrees terms of reference, it can be accused of acting as “judge and jury”

• A council-commissioned inquiry would have no legal basis to compel individuals and agencies such as police, CCG, PCT, Hospitals Trust and Shropshire Council, which preceded this council, to co-operate or give evidence. Considering the historic nature of the cases highlighted in Telford, many individuals as well as other agencies would be likely to be called to give evidence. The cases highlighted by media have involved many agencies.

• Due to the limited scope of a council-commissioned inquiry, such an inquiry’s findings could be incomplete. The victims of this vile crime and the public rightly expect a “full inquiry”, which only an independent expert public inquiry commissioned by Government can do.

• Cases highlighted by media go back 40 years, yet this council has only been in existence for 20 years. Anything pre-1998 could not be covered by a council-commissioned inquiry.

• The council has already commissioned an independent review which reported in 2013, while Telford was the one of first areas in the country to make prosecutions against organised CSE

Following its inspection of the council in 2016, Ofsted’s report said: “Work with children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation is very strong. The local authority has been a champion for tackling this issue. It provides leadership to partner agencies, with who this work is well coordinated.

“There is a strong commitment from the local authority and its partners to tackle child sexual exploitation…consequently young people receive comprehensive and well-co-ordinated services that make a positive difference.”

The council will also be seeking a meeting with the Home Office to discuss the best way forward.

Tackling child sexual abuse remains the council’s top priority and everyone has a role to play. If you suspect a child is a victim of sexual offences or is being sexually abusing you must report this, even if it is just a suspicion. This council will act on every report we receive and we continue to support survivors of CSE.

If anyone has any concerns, they should contact police in the first instance by calling 101, call Childline on 0800 1111 or report to Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP) online."