Update on “grooming gangs” investigations
Earlier this week, the National Crime Agency announced that, following their review of previously closed cases into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, the first set of cases where lines of inquiry may have been missed have now been referred to eight police forces for reinvestigation.
Those forces have been told to reopen the cases and consider what further investigation is needed.
What is Operation Beaconport?
Operation Beaconport was launched last year in response to Baroness Casey’s recommendations into group-based sexual exploitation, otherwise known as “grooming gangs”.
It is currently examining cases of sexual violence and abuse that were reported to police between January 2010 and March 2025, involved two or more suspects, and where a decision was made by police or the CPS to take no further action.
All police forces in England and Wales have now shared the relevant case information, and the Operation Beaconport team will be reviewing referrals to determine which should now be reopened.
Initial reviews have indicated that potential lines of inquiry in some cases had been missed due to “human error.”
Rape Crisis England & Wales welcomes this week’s announcement. We want justice for survivors.
However, Casey’s findings were very clear: too many victims and survivors were not listened to, not believed, and not supported in the way they should be. This must not be repeated, and police must learn from their mistakes.
Many survivors of group-based child rape and sexual abuse (CRaSA) are further traumatised by a criminal justice system that was meant to protect them. It’s important for police to bear this in mind at all stages of Operation Beaconport, especially where police-initiated contact is involved.
Next steps
The Operation Beaconport team are currently developing an online portal through which survivors will be able to access further information and specialist support, as well as indicate whether they would support a reopening of their case.
Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) are also part of Operation Beaconport’s Victim and Survivor Silver Group, which brings together senior and strategic leaders across third sector agencies, key stakeholders and policing to form a consistent, appropriate and trauma-informed, whole systems response to Operation Beaconport.
For us, this means ensuring that survivors and their needs are considered at every stage of the process.
As a specialist member of this group, we will continue to advocate for survivors’ best interests, and those of our Rape Crisis member centres.
While we welcome any measures to ensure survivors receive justice and support, concrete actions that make a tangible difference to their lives must be prioritised. This includes:
- That police are relentlessly pursuing perpetrators and adopting the Soteria way of investigating recent and non-recent sexual offences.
- Long-term and sustainable funding for specialist sexual violence and abuse services, such as Rape Crisis centres. Survivors have consistently reported that what they need and want most is for specialist independent services to be available for them – we will continue to advocate for this where possible and provide specialist support through our Rape Crisis centres.
- Ensuring that those working in child protection are appropriately trained to recognise and respond to CRaSA.
Group-based child sexual abuse should be treated as serious and organised crime, and victims and survivors deserve access to funded services dedicated to supporting them through recovery from sexual violence and abuse – whether they decide to engage with the criminal justice process, or not.
Support for survivors
- More information: We will provide updates about Operation Beaconport as soon as we have them, via our website and newsletter.
- 24/7 Support Line: If you’re a survivor of sexual violence and would like to speak to someone about your experiences or options, our free and confidential Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is open 24/7 for anyone aged 16+.
- Support in your area: Find your local Rape Crisis centre here. Our centres provide free specialist services to victims and survivors of all forms of sexual violence and abuse. This may involve practical or advocacy support with an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA), or counselling and therapeutic support.
About Operation Beaconport
Operation Beaconport, led by the National Crime Agency and delivered in partnership with the CSE Taskforce, Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme, Crown Prosecution Service and police forces, is the national policing operation launched as part of Baroness Casey’s recommendations into group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Subsequently, the NCA asked all police forces in England and Wales to examine 15 years’ worth of records, to identify and refer to Operation Beaconport cases which met the following criteria:
- where allegations of sexual offending were made between Jan 2010 and March 2025;
- the case involves two or more suspects;
- decision made by police or the CPS to take no further action against suspects;
- the case involves one or more survivors;
- it includes contact offences;
- the suspects have not been identified as deceased;
- the case has not previously been subject to a victims’ right to review or any other independent review process.
Operation Beaconport’s reviews will establish whether the decision to close investigations was right in each case, and whether there are viable lines of enquiry for reinvestigation.
By doing this, it hopes to restore public trust and confidence in policing responses to group-based CSAE, and CRaSA more widely.