Child Sex Exploitation: Force Blames Lack Of Resources

South Yorkshire Police ordered to compile report on how it is dealing with child sex exploitation cases.


A chief constable has said a lack of resources was one of the reasons why some child sex exploitation cases did not result in prosecutions.

South Yorkshire Police CC David Crompton (pictured) said the force did not have sufficient police resources available ten years ago with only three officers devoted to investigating cases - however there are now eight on the team.

Additionally there are around 50 officers who are involved in investigating child abuse issues.



He told the Home Affairs Select Committee difficulties in turning intelligence in such cases into evidence also resulted in fewer prosecutions in such cases.

He added the force would be able to carry out more in-depth investigations now they had more officers.
He said: “There has been a journey in terms of the learning in child sex exploitation. We have moved an awful long way in ten years.

“We are looking at what the process was. The situation the force is in now is very different to a few years ago.

“We have got more dedicated resources and a number of ongoing inquiries. The extra resources have given us an opportunity to go after the offenders to a greater degree than a few years ago and there have been one or two notable successes.”

He stressed to the committee the issue of intelligence and disclosure and the ability to turn it into evidence to form a prosecution in court can be very problematic.

The probe follows allegations of widespread grooming operations of girls by Asian men over the last ten years in Rotherham. It has been claimed the force were aware of the issue but that only eight people have been prosecuted as a result of it.

Det Ch Insp Philip Etheridge, the force’s lead on child sex exploitation said there have been successes for the prosecution of child sex exploitation cases in Rotherham.

In 2008, eight people were convicted in court.

He said: “The training of officers in child exploitation allows officers to protect the child and to look for evidence.”

Committee chair Keith Vaz said he wanted a report in a months’ time about what South Yorkshire Police are doing to tackle the issue.

He said: “I am disappointed because I don’t think South Yorkshire Police has a grip on this very difficult subject and I am disappointed no-one has been prosecuted this year.

“The committee and the public are very concerned and we are not satisfied.”

Following the meeting PoliceOracle.com tried to contact Det Ch Insp Etheridge and the force press office to find out what was being done specifically over reported allegations of child grooming as well as their response to Mr Vaz’s comments.

As this story went live we had no response to our calls or emails.

In full: Police log detailing Andrew Mitchell's 'pleb' rant

Whilst on duty at *** tonight (Wed 19th Sept) on a 1400-2200 hrs between the hours of 1800-2000 I had to deal with a man claiming to be the chief whip and who I later confirmed to be such and a Mr Andrew MITCHELL.

Mr Mitchell was speaking to PC ******** demanding exit through the main vehicle gate into Whitehall. PC ******** explained to Mr MITCHELL that the policy was for pedal cycles to use the side pedestrian exit.

 Mr MITCHELL refused, stating he was the chief whip and he always used the main gates.

I explained to Mr MITCHELL that the policy was to use the side pedestrian gates and that I was happy to open those for him, but that no officer present would be opening the main gates as this was the policy we were directed to follow.

Mr MITCHELL refused. Repeatedly reiterating he was the chief whip. My exact explanation to Mr MITCHELL was "I am more than happy to open the side pedestrian gate for you Sir, but it is policy that we are not to allow cycles through the main vehicle entrance".

After several refusals Mr MITCHELL got off his bike and walked to the pedestrian gate with me after I again offered to open that for him.

 There were several members of public present as is the norm opposite the pedestrian gate and as we neared it, Mr MITCHELL said: "Best you learn your f------ place...you don’t run this f------ government...You’re f------ plebs." The members of public looked visibly shocked and I was somewhat taken aback by the language used and the view expressed by a senior government official. I can not say if this statement was aimed at me individually, or the officers present or the police service as a whole.

I warned Mr MITCHELL that he should not swear, and if he continued to do so I would have no option but to arrest him under the Public Order Act, saying "Please don’t swear at me Sir. If you continue to I will have no option but to arrest you under the public order act".

Mr MITCHELL was then silent and left saying "you haven’t heard the last of this" as he cycled off.
I forward this to you as all officers were extremely polite to Mr MITCHELL, but such behaviour and verbal expressions could lead to the unfortunate situation of officers being left no option but to exercise their powers.

I write this for your information as Mr Mitchell’s last comments would appear to indicate that he is unhappy with my actions.

I have recorded this fully in my pocket book.

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