“…our efforts will not stop here.”

Earlier today the two-year review post publication of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Telford (IITCSE) was published.

In April 2018 Telford & Wrekin Council commissioned an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation. The final report was published in July 2022.

The two-year review report has assessed the implementation of the Chair’s recommendations.

In his report the Chair said: “I am pleased to say that all organisations, without exception, have met my expectations in this regard; and in some cases, have gone beyond what I had expected.”

DCC Cooper added: “We welcome the findings of the Chair’s two-year review, and I would like to offer our assurances our efforts will not stop here. We are committed to providing a better service to survivors and, in accordance with the recommendations, continue to focus on effective multi-agency working to protect children and young people from child sexual exploitation.

“The abuse suffered by victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation in Telford decades ago was abhorrent and I continue to unequivocally apologise for our failures of the past. I am truly sorry the failures by police, and other agencies, meant young people were let down at a time they needed our help and protection.

“Prior to the publication of the IITCSE our approach to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) had improved dramatically but we have always been clear in our mission to continually develop and evolve.

“We have been resolute in our commitment to ensure the voices of victims and survivors helps shape and improve our approach and I would like to acknowledge the fundamental role those with lived experiences have had, and will continue to have, in informing our response and helping us improve.”

In the past two months three men have been convicted for offences relating to child sexual exploitation in Telford.

On Monday 8 July, Stevan Marston, of Aukland Road in Sparkbrook, Birmingham was sentenced to nine years and Yasser Mahmood, of Abbots Road in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, was sentenced to nine and a half years after a young girl was groomed and sexually assaulted in Telford.

In May, Murabek Ali was given a 12-year sentence for non-recent offences relating to child sexual exploitation, including rape and trafficking for sexual exploitation in Telford. The 40-year-old is already service a prison sentence after he was convicted in 2012 as part of West Mercia Police’s large-scale investigation into child sexual exploitation in Telford.

Steps taken to tackle Child Sexual Exploitation include: –

• Dedicated Child Exploitation team in Telford.
• Dedicated Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) targeting perpetrators online and in person.
• Developed our missing coordinator role to include engagement with care homes to safeguard those who may be at an increased risk of CSE.
• Improved multi-agency working and information sharing.
• New and improved CSE training for our workforce.
• Improving picture around the number National Referrals Mechanism made
• Better flagging of incidents and crimes so that patterns are spotted and offenders identified.