Cameron pledges crackdown on public sector chiefs in the wake of Rochdale charges

NINE ASIAN men have been charged with child grooming – as PM David Cameron today announces a tough new crackdown on public sector chiefs who fail to protect youngsters.

David CameronGETTY

David Cameron pledged tough investigations into public sector officials who fail to protect children

The nine, along with one white man, are accused of a series of sex offences against seven females aged between 13 and 23 between the years 2005 and 2013.

Yesterday they were charged by the Operation Doublet team, tasked with investigating child sexual exploitation of teen girls by older men in Rochdale.

The Greater Manchester Police operation came into being after a recent report accused them of a botched 2011 investigation into historic sexual grooming complaints by white girls in the area.

These new charges include rape, conspiracy to rape, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child and sexual assault.

They were welcomed by local Labour MP Simon Danczuk, who has called for more action to expose historical sex abuse crimes.

Mr Danczuk said: “This news shows what can be achieved by keeping up pressure and pushing for change.”

Children were ignored, blamed, and issues were swept under the carpet – often because of a warped sense of political correctness.

David Cameron

Mr Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said: “Child sexual exploitation is a real crime and anyone who has been a victim needs to come forward and speak to the Police.”

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett said: “This is one of a number of cases under Operation Doublet. So far, 65 people have been arrested and the investigation continues. Further arrests are anticipated.”

The charges come as the Prime Minister unveiled new measures at Downing Street, alongside victims, survivors groups, police and council leaders and health care professionals.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “We have all been appalled at the abuse suffered by so many young girls across the country. 

“Children were ignored, blamed, and issues were swept under the carpet – often because of a warped sense of political correctness. That culture of denial must be eradicated.

“Today, I am sending an unequivocal message that professionals who fail to protect children will be held accountable – making sure the professionals do the jobs they are paid to do.”

Changes include a new national helpline for professionals to blow the whistle on bad practice and child abuse deemed a national threat by Chief Constables.

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Shayfur Rahman, 31, has been charged with one count of rape; Kutab Miah, 34 – three counts of sexual activity and one count of rape; Rehan Ali, 26 – one count of rape and six counts of sexual activity with a child.

Iklaq Choudhry Hussain, 37 – three counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of rape; David Law, 45 – three counts of conspiracy to commit rape;

Mahfus Rahman, 28 – three counts of rape and three counts of sexual activity with a child.

Ashfaq Yousaf, 28 – one count of aiding and abetting rape and rape; Afraz Ahmed, 32 – two counts of conspiracy to commit rape, two counts of rape and two counts of inciting a child in sexual activity.

Mohammed Davood, 37 – one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual assault and Mohammed Miah, 39 – three counts of sexual activity and two counts of rape.

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