exposing failures in rochdale grooming gang investigations
We represented three victims of the Rochdale grooming gang in a significant case challenging Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the CPS for their long‑standing failures to investigate and prosecute child sexual exploitation, and for the inappropriate criminalisation of victims. The case revealed systemic institutional failings and secured meaningful accountability.
Case concluded
Serious investigative failures by GMP and the CPS in responding to child sexual exploitation in Rochdale
Systemic mishandling of ‘grooming gang’ cases, allowing perpetrators to continue offending
The criminalisation of victims, who were wrongly treated as offenders rather than vulnerable children needing protection
The Issues
The claim set out extensive evidence of institutional failures by both GMP and the CPS in their response to Rochdale grooming gangs. GMP ultimately settled the claim, providing compensation to the victims and issuing a personal apology from the Chief Constable, acknowledging the profound failings in their treatment of the young women.
The case attracted significant media attention, drawing national focus to the wrongful criminalisation of child victims and the systemic failures that had allowed exploitation to persist.
What happened
Settlement and compensation from GMP, recognising serious police failings
A rare in-person public apology from the Chief Constable, acknowledging wrongdoing
National media attention, amplifying the wider issues of institutional neglect and victim‑blaming
Increased public and political scrutiny of how child sexual exploitation cases are handled
Greater awareness of the wrongful criminalisation of vulnerable children in grooming gang contexts