Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Bradford agencies need to do more to protect children: Report

Bradford agencies need to do more to protect children: Report

SOME children in Bradford remain at risk of exploitation despite a "vast improvement" in the way the agencies responsible for their protection are working, according to an independent review.

The review, commissioned after nine men were jailed for sexual exploitation of girls housed in a council care home, noted that there were still "lessons to be learned" and the response to some victims was "not yet good enough".


Some children still "remain unprotected while some perpetrators remain unknown and unchallenged", the report, which looked into five cases of child sexual exploitation since 2001, noted.

Clare Hyde, who authored the report, said the children "suffered abuse no child should have to experience", and in most cases, they "suffered other traumas and abuse long before they were sexually exploited."

The report details the accounts of two of the child sexual exploitation victims - Fiona Goddard and Anna, a BBC report said.

According to Goddard who has given up her right to anonymity, "most of the girls who stayed in the care home where she lived were "victims of child sexual exploitation".

She said she had reported "physical abuse, sexual abuse or rapes" but there was no follow-up action.

"They (the agencies) had the opportunity to nip it in the bud and save me from years of abuse but they never did," said Goddard, 27.

Anna was also vocal about the inaction of agencies.

They "just ignored the abuse" and it "destroyed her childhood", she said while concurring with Goddard that the cases needed an independent inquiry.

According to the report, Anna's social worker recommended that she be placed in the foster care of the parents of the man who was abusing her.

“While living there, she became pregnant at the age of 15 and went on to marry him in an Islamic wedding, which she says was allowed by the authorities”, it said.

In its response to the review, Bradford Partnership, which comprises Bradford council, West Yorkshire police and the local clinical commissioning group, "apologised" to the children and "fully accepts that more needs to be done".

"We want to apologise to the young people identified in this report and any others where the actions of agencies in Bradford have failed to protect them from child sexual exploitation... All the partners in our district are committed to protecting our children and to working with the police to bring perpetrators of this crime to justice," it said in a joint statement.

More For You

Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navroop Singh

Navroop Singh was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. (Photo credit: Metropolitan Police)

Man jailed for life over rape and attempted rape in west London

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for rape, attempted rape and firearm offences following a Metropolitan Police investigation in west London.

Navroop Singh, of Mellow Lane East, Hayes, was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on Friday, July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 14 years.

Keep ReadingShow less