Our response to Channel 4 documentary 'Groomed'
The article is a response from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to the Channel 4 documentary 'Groomed,' addressing past failures in tackling child sexual exploitation (CSE). GMP acknowledges its historical shortcomings but highlights current efforts, including a specialist unit for non-recent CSE cases, multi-agency teams, and collaboration with hospitality sectors to prevent exploitation. The force cites recent improvements, such as 86 arrests and 71 years' worth of convictions, and emphasizes its commitment to victim support and justice.
Greater Manchester Police Vows Justice for Historic Child Sex Abuse Victims After Damning Documentary
Greater Manchester Police’s top vulnerability officer issued a stark apology Tuesday night following Channel 4’s documentary ‘Groomed,’ admitting the force “badly let down vulnerable young girls when they needed us the most.”
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker, GMP lead for Vulnerability and Public Protection, acknowledged the documentary exposed systematic failures to protect children from sexual exploitation. “We’ve fully accepted and apologised for the extent of our past failings in tackling this horrific abuse,” Parker said in a statement released hours after the program aired.
The senior officer detailed sweeping reforms implemented since the scandal, including a specialist unit launched in March 2021 that now employs 95 dedicated investigators. The team has made 86 arrests and secured 71 years of prison sentences for offenders, with additional suspects facing court proceedings. One offender awaits sentencing in May as part of Operation Green Jacket.
Parker emphasized current practices have transformed dramatically, noting HM Inspectorate of Constabulary rated GMP “good and adequate in all areas of protecting children” in December. The force now operates multi-agency teams across every Greater Manchester town and city, working with hospitality businesses to identify exploitation signs before children suffer harm.
“Across GM we arrested 3,000 suspected sex offenders in 2024 and we safeguarded thousands of vulnerable people,” Parker stated. “No abuser is immune from justice and time is no barrier.”
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