A report highlights deficiencies in data collection regarding child sexual exploitation, revealing that only 700 offences were recorded in 2023, which underrepresents the issue due to under-reporting and vague definitions. A major criticism is the lack of ethnic background data, which is missing in two-thirds of cases, complicating national analysis. Evidence from specific regions indicates a disproportionate number of Asian men among suspects. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has supported calls for a full national inquiry, reversing previous views against it, which aligns with the report's urgent recommendations for improved data collection.
The report highlights flaws in data collection, stating it is impossible to assess the scale of group-based child sexual exploitation due to under-reporting and inconsistent definitions.
The ethnicity of child sexual exploitation suspects is inadequately recorded, hindering national conclusions, with the report specifically noting a lack of data in two-thirds of cases.
Evidence from police in Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire indicates a disproportionate representation of men from Asian backgrounds among suspects.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accepted the report's call for a national inquiry into child sexual exploitation, despite previous resistance to such an investigation.
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