TWO thirds of all investigations into child sex grooming in West Yorkshire are in the Bradford area, it has been revealed.

Of the 65 cases police are currently examining, 45 are in the Bradford district which is said to be facing a "significant" problem.

A team is also being put together to re-examine some historic Bradford cases and speak again to some of those involved.

And today West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson made a call for experts from councils across the county to meet him to discuss best to tackle the issue.

He said a culture of "inaction and ignorance" which led to victims "being failed on an industrial level" had been laid out in the independent report into child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham which found 1,400 children had been victims of abuse.

"We have 65 live investigations ongoing into CSE in West Yorkshire, but that demonstrates the amount of work being done," he said.

"Here in West Yorkshire we are doing our best to work together to stamp out this crime and recognise when it is being committed.

"Victims have to remain at the heart of everything we do and they need to know that they will be taken seriously, their concerns treated with the utmost respect and listened to, and their perpetrators brought to justice.

"This issue needs bringing right out into the open for everyone to see and understand so there is no hiding place, there is no ‘hidden crime’ phrase related to CSE."

Superintendent Vince Firth, of the Bradford Safeguarding Children Board, said there were 43 victims “we are concerned about” and 67 men on bail for CSE offences.

“The problems we are facing in Bradford are really significant," he added.

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins has often spoken out on CSE and last night said he welcomed any discussions on it.

"A big issue I would like Mark Burns Williamson to look at is correlating data and evidence and finally putting an end to the political correctness that has been around this subject," the Conservative said.

He said there was evidence that many perpetrators were from a Pakistani heritage which should open up other challenges such as looking at how boys were brought up in certain cultures and what they were taught about values and the behaviour of men towards women.

He said his continued efforts along with former Keighley MP Ann Cryer had ensured Bradford had been open and transparent on the issue and he said constituents did contact his office about CSE.

The Respect MP for Bradford West George Galloway said it was a problem rarely brought to him by constituents - perhaps because victims felt too ashamed.

POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER ON STEPS TAKEN TO COMBAT CHILD SEX GROOMING

He said if the case review showed perpetrators had not been caught sooner, police would have their own questions to answer.

And he questioned whether Mr Burns Williamson's meeting would cast any "light or shade" on to the matter.

However, Shipley Conservative MP Philip Davies said it was right of Mr Burns Williamson to call the meeting.

"There's been a concern in general that police forces, not necessarily in West Yorkshire, have displayed a certain amount of political correctness when looking at Asian gangs and grooming of white girls - if he can take steps to reassure himself that's not happening in West Yorkshire, then that's to be welcomed."

Mr Davies said he was impressed by the police's CSE team when he recently spent a day with it.

Bradford East MP David Ward (Lib Dem) said Mr Burns Williamson would be criticised by some for having a “knee-jerk reaction” following the Rotherham report, but that he was right to call the meeting.

“Everybody is saying about what happened in Rotherham, how could it have gone on for that long and it’s right and proper that we do this,” he added.

Councillor Debbie Davies, the Conservative spokesman for children's services, supported Mr Burns Williamson.

"In light of the Rotherham experiences, it does seem sensible," she said.

"That was so appalling that anything you can do to prevent that happening has to be welcomed."

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Bradford Council, said: "We need a well thought out response. One thing is to create space to challenge authorities who say 'this is the choice they [young people] are making'."