#grooming-gangs

#grooming-gangs

The government's review of taxi licensing in England follows Baroness Casey's report on grooming gangs, which identified taxis being used by offenders across the country and recommended tougher rules. At the moment, taxi drivers can buy a private hire vehicle licence from one council but work as far away as they like, taking advantage of lower standards, cheaper licences, and a lack of enforcement. This allows them to get around tough rules aimed at protecting children, such as Rotherham's gold standard licensing scheme, which includes CCTV in cabs.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the inquiry in June this year. The UK government said it would "co-ordinate a series of targeted local investigations" into the group-based child sexual exploitation of girls by grooming gangs. Called the Independent Commission on Grooming Gangs, the inquiry will have legal powers to direct targeted investigations in local areas and summon witnesses to give evidence.

A culture of blindness, ignorance and prejudice led to repeated failures over decades to properly investigate cases in which children were abused by grooming gangs.

"Starmer's recent U-turn on the grooming gangs inquiry reflects not only a significant shift in his stance but also a reaction to pressure from external figures."