Greater Manchester Police must be investigated

Senior Liberal Democrats in Oldham have again called for investigations into Greater Manchester Police following the publication of a new report into historic child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.  The Leader of Oldham Council’s Liberal Democrat opposition councillor Howard Sykes MBE and his Deputy, councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, have called for action to be taken against those in positions of authority who failed children in Oldham and Rochdale. 

Councillor Sykes said, “The report that has been published earlier this week details the most horrific and disgusting abuse of children.  It once again highlights the need for Greater Manchester Police to be formally investigated.  Those failings cannot continue to go unaddressed.”

Commenting on the publication of the Rochdale report, Councillor Al-Hamdani said, “My heart goes out to the people identified in this report who were failed time and again.  There should be a formal, independent investigation of GMP which has the power to take action against the organisation and guilty individuals.”

The Rochdale report was written by Malcolm Newsam CBE and Gary Ridgway – a former detective superintendent.  Both men also co-authored a report into child sexual exploitation in Oldham, which was published in June 2022. 

At a recent meeting of Oldham Council, councillor Sykes questioned the borough’s leadership over the lack of consequences for those who were found to have failed children. 

Councillor Sykes said, “How many officers from Greater Manchester Police have faced disciplinary action and how many officers are still in post?

“There must be a full independent inquiry into GMP’s failing.  Anything less is not acceptable. We must do everything possible to encourage victims of sexual violence past and present to come forward and support them when they do.”

Oldham Liberal Democrats have called on the Home Office to commission a full public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.