Oldham CSE report: Burnham vows to 'secure justice' for victims

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has vowed to 'secure justice for the survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse' in Oldham.

Mr Burnham issued a statement this evening (Friday), following the Parliamentary debate last night on the Oldham Child Sexual Exploitation Report.

In the statement, issued at 5pm, Mr Burnham - who faced some fierce heckling from the public gallery at Monday's fiery full Oldham Council extraordinary meeting - also spoke of the 'next steps' being planned for the victims of CSE in the town.

Mr Burnham said in thr statement: "Yesterday there was an important debate in Parliament on the Independent Review into Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Oldham.

"On issues affecting children and survivors of CSE it is important to have cross-party support to make progress and provide confidence and reassurance to survivors and the public.

"I am pleased that, in responding to the debate, the Home Office Minister (Rachel Maclean) gave her personal, and the Government’s, full support to the report and what Greater Manchester is doing to secure justice for the victims.

"This report is not the end, but the beginning of further action. 

"Having exposed the failures and the way in which victims have been let down, it is important that those victims’ testimonies are heard and acted upon.

"For the people of Oldham, the next steps must be to secure justice for the survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

"I have agreed with the Chief Constable a major investigation - Operation Sherwood – that will be Oldham-specific and will have 21 officers dedicated to the investigation team. 

"Operation Sherwood will investigate the historic cases identified by the review team to bring any perpetrators to justice.

"But, in addition to Operation Sherwood, both GMP and Oldham Council are looking at the detail in the report and if any potential misconduct in public office is identified then those individuals will face the appropriate disciplinary action.

"It is now incumbent on us all to build a climate in Oldham which gives victims the confidence to come forward and reassures the public that the appropriate action is being taken.

"Next week, the Chief Constable and I will set out further details about Operation Sherwood, how victims can get in touch and the next steps."

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