Grooming gangs inquiry to examine ethnicity, culture and religion in Oldham

Oldham has been confirmed as one of the first areas to be investigated by the national grooming gangs inquiry, which will examine whether ethnicity, culture or religion played a role in the sexual exploitation of children and how institutions responded to the abuse.

The statutory inquiry, chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield, will have legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and force organisations to hand over documents. Any evidence of criminal conduct by professionals will be referred to Operation Beaconport, the national policing operation reviewing hundreds of previously closed investigations.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the grooming gangs scandal as 'one of the darkest moments in our country's history' where vulnerable children were abused by 'evil child rapists'. The inquiry will conduct local investigations in areas where serious failures have been identified in responding to child sexual exploitation.

The inquiry will publish findings progressively rather than waiting for a final report, with public hearings live-streamed and transcripts published after each session. It has a maximum duration of three years and a budget of £65 million, with Oldham set to receive funding for its local investigation.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the strengthened terms of reference, noting that initial drafts did not examine ethnicity and religion or ensure investigation of those in positions of authority. The inquiry was established following Baroness Louise Casey's audit, which found systemic failures and institutional paralysis had enabled grooming gangs to operate for years.