To receive a verbal update from Greater Manchester Police on progress with regard to Operation Sherwood.
Minutes:
Phil Hutchison and Judith Holmes, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) gave an update on progress with regard to Operation Sherwood.
Members were informed that Operation Sherwood had moved into the operational phase wherby arrests have been made which are now in the hands of the Crown Prosecution Service. With regard to other work in relation to child exploitation. The Board was advised that the dedicated multi agency team comprised two detective sergents, six detective constables, a child social care manager, senior social worker, ten complex social workers, family workers, dedicated safeguarding nurses and a part time physcho therapist. There is a strong relationship and working partnership with the multi agencies. They are currently managing in excess of 65 young persons and children over Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and approximately 25 adults who have opted to remail in in the team for support.
Members were informed that this is current update on Operation Sherwood but unfortunately members cannot be given information on live ongoing investigations. Members were informed of several indictments where people have been brought to justice in relation to child sexual exploitation. The Board was reminded that they are investigating historic abuses from any time period.
Mr Hutchinson wanted to impress upon the Board the excellent work the partnership was achieving and that it was fully committed to dealing with offenders.
Councillor McLaren asked Mr Hutchinson the following questions –
Mr Hutchinson responded – Not to his knowledge. There has been an independent review of how GMP and the Council has looked at their investigations and there has been no suggestion from that review that a cover up has taken place.
2. Has any Elected Member (past or present) or member of the public reported any evidence to the Police that would suggest that the Council may have been involved in a cover up?
Mr Hutchinson responded – He does not have any information about that.
3. Has any evidence come to light from any source that would suggest that the Council has engaged in any kind of systematic cover up of child sexual exploitation or abuse at any stage?
Mr Hutchinson responded – Not to his knowledge.
4. During the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation, the Council took the opportunity to refer a number of historic cases of child sexual exploitation from pre 2011 for further consideration. Has any other case come to light during Operation Sherwood that relates to the period before 2011 that could have been referred to the independent inquiry.
Mr Hutchinson responded – He would have report back on that question.
5. Has any case relating to child sexual exploitation for, say, the period prior to 2005 come to light that should have been referred to the independent inquiry?
Mr Hutchinson responded - He will have to report back.
6. Has any Elected Member (past or present) been named in relation to any investigation that has, or is, taking place in relation child sexual exploitation or abuse?
Mr Hutchinson responded – He is not aware of every single bespoke case, in such cases people are entitled to anonymity and would not wish to affect live investigations.
Councillor Shuttleworth asked Mr Hutchinson – Has the Local authority provided all the information requested in terms of all historic cases of CSE and any other available information to support the GMP in their investigations
Mr Hutchinson responded – He would have to take advice from the specialist team and report back.
Mr Hutchinson reiterated that he report back on each of the questions where an answer had not been given.
The Chair thanked Mr Hutchinson for his attendance and the update on Operation Sherwood.
Resolved: That the update on Operation Sherwood be noted.