A REVIEW into how child sexual exploitation has been handled in Bradford could be completed as early as next month, a Committee has been told.
The Bradford Partnership, made up of a number of different organisations including Bradford Council, the police and local charities, is finalising its independent thematic Serious Case Review of CSE in the District.
At a meeting of Bradford Council's Children's Services Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday evening, members of the Partnership said the review will look at five cases, two "historic" cases that involve abuse that took place years ago and only recently came to light, and three more recent grooming cases.
Many recent police investigations into CSE have fallen into Operation Dalesway - which was set up to deal with historic grooming offences.
At Wednesday's meeting Superintendent Richard Padwell told members that the Operation had reached 32 separate case investigations.
He added: "These issues are not time bound, nor should they be."
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Members heard that two large grooming trials were due to be held this Summer, each trial involving seven suspects.
The serious case review was prompted by the convictions of nine men for grooming and abusing two young people in 2019, but it was decided that the review should look at the wider handling of CSE. It has involved engaging with victims of abuse.
Jane Booth, Chair of the Partnership, told the committee that the review had to be paused last year due to the Covid pandemic, but is due to reveal its findings as early as late March.
She said: "Two cases we looked at were Operation Dalesway cases where the abuse took place a significant number of years ago.
"While it was important we do look at that era, we were also keen to look at the current practice.
"Three cases we looked at were not Operation Dalesway Cases.
"We are confident the report will be able to shed light on the quality of responses to children and families look like, and what still needs to be done."
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