Humberside Police has closed its grooming gang investigation (Image: Getty)
The survivors of a Hull grooming gang have reacted angrily after the police closed an investigation into the alleged vile abuse they endured without anyone being charged. Humberside Police launched a probe in 2019, resulting in 34 arrests, but no charges were made by the time it closed in 2021.
A new team took over the investigation in 2022 under the name Operation Conference after specialists from the national policing lead for child sexual abuse investigations, the Hydrant Programme, reviewed the original police probe.
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The investigation into grooming gang members was reopened after a Sky News exposé in which the broadcaster interviewed two teenagers who identified their alleged attackers and the places where they were raped and sold into the sex trade.
Operation Conference was investigating allegations by five women who said they were abused as teens in the city of East Yorkshire.
One of the abuse survivors told Sky she had been raped by more than 100 men from the age of 13 in a three-year-long ordeal.
She spoke of 10 to 11 men coming into a flat who wanted to rape her per day. Another survivor told the broadcaster she felt like a puppet.
Sky News reported on Tuesday (April 14) that the women now say the three and a half year investigation has been closed.
A man identified by one of the women as her main abuser was convicted of similar crimes in another town in a separate case, according to Sky.
One woman told the broadcaster: “Being told the previous officers had missed parts and they were confident they could patch up the mess from the first investigation gave us hope.
“It’s been 10 years since the abuse first started for me. Ten years, two failed police investigations.”
Humberside Police reportedly told them that 44 potential suspects had been identified, but there was insufficient evidence to meet the threshold required to prosecute.
The force said in a statement that child sexual exploitation is a deplorable crime and it is committed to treating all reports with the utmost importance and sensitivity.
It stated that such cases are usually extremely complex and require a careful, thorough review of all available evidence.
The force added: “We acknowledge the courage and bravery of those involved in Operation Conference, as we understand talking about sexual exploitation is incredibly difficult and distressing to disclose.”
It said that throughout its review and investigation, the priority was to follow the evidence without fear or favour and complete a full, fair and professional investigative review, exploring every possible line of enquiry.
The statement added: “As is required for all investigations of this nature, a conclusion must be made to determine whether enquiries have met the evidential threshold to be formally referred to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) for a charging decision.
“Following a thorough and detailed review of all available evidence in relation to this investigation, no charges could be brought against the suspects in this case.”
The force said that should any new information come to light, it will be treated seriously and investigated to determine whether it builds on past enquiries.
Its statement continued: “We want to reassure victims that if you come forward, you will be listened to and supported throughout the process, and we will endeavour to do all we can to pursue justice for those affected.
“Any reports of child sexual exploitation will always be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, and we would always encourage anyone who believes they have been or are a victim of child sexual exploitation, or any similar offence to come forward and speak to us.”
The women now want Hull to be included in plans for local enquiries under the national grooming gangs enquiry.
Six towns are set to be selected as part of former Children’s Commissioner Baroness Anne Longfield’s three-year statutory independent inquiry.
Baroness Longfield is to direct local investigations in areas where it is suspected that serious failures have happened, including in Oldham.
The local probes will examine the actions of the police, local authorities, social services and other agencies at local and national levels.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in December that grooming gang victims had been ignored, belittled and even blamed for the abuse.
She said Baroness Longfield and members of the inquiry panel would “shine a bright light” on a “dark moment” in British history.