‘Anger’ over Rochdale grooming failures

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Andy Burnham said the report into grooming in Rochdale was “hard to read” while former police detective Maggie Oliver said the failure to protect “hundreds” of young girls left her feeling, “anger”. The Mayor of Greater Manchester, who commissioned the report into grooming in Rochdale said it gave a “detailed and distressing” account of how many young people were failed. “I want to reassure the public that those responsible are gone and long gone.” Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson said: “It remains a matter of profound regret that victims of child sexual exploitation in Rochdale in the early 2000s were failed by Greater Manchester Police – to them, I apologise. “Whilst the report rightfully vindicates Maggie and Sara and reinforces the importance of the changes we have already made – many with Maggie’s support, it remains to be said that the current prevention of and response to child sexual exploitation in Rochdale and across Greater Manchester has been overhauled since the early 2000s to ensure that victims and survivors are cared for and receive the expected level of service.” Maggie Oliver, who worked as a detective constable for Greater Manchester Police and has founded a foundation for the survivors of the scandal, said: “After over 10 years fighting for the truth of this botched case to be exposed, today is a day filled with so many mixed emotions for me.