Arrests following ISIS graffiti incident in Newcastle

This is an update regarding graffiti in the west end of Newcastle.

Police have arrested four people in connection with the damage which was caused sometime overnight between Wednesday, October 8, and Thursday October 9 at locations on the West Road.

Aryan Mahmood Ramadan, 25, of Prospect Place, Newcastle, has been charged with criminal damage and possessing items to cause damage. He will appear before Newcastle Magistrates' Court on November 14.

Three men, aged 36, 29 and 20 have all received a caution.

Read HERE

West Midlands Police report reveals 75 per cent of known on-street child sex groomers are Asian (MUSLIM)

Confidential report also says 82 per cent of victims, aged 14 to 16, are white

A bombshell police report has revealed 75 per cent of known on-street child sex groomers in the West Midlands are Asian – with 82 per cent of victims, aged 14 to 16, being white.

And a Birmingham Mail investigation has discovered how police, councils and social services have been failing vulnerable victims in a new abuse scandal which follows those identified in Rotherham, Rochdale and Derbyshire.

The shocking statistics are contained in a confidential report from West Midlands Police.

Another report identified 111 youngsters at risk of child sexual exploitation in Birmingham last year, with the youngest aged just 11, and almost half of them under 15 years old.

The Children’s Society has also previously warned that vulnerable children were being taken to hotels in the West Midlands and abused by gangs after being plied with drugs and alcohol.

The Mail has discovered how children across the region have been failed by police, councils and social services – with some known offenders not being prosecuted and victims being locked away in secure accommodation to protect them.

The sickening situation was revealed by Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) in a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Prevention and Intervention Strategy published in September 2013. It was sent to partner agencies, including West Midlands Police, but was never issued to the media.

It said: “The partnership arrangements in Birmingham are currently failing to protect our children from child sexual exploitation.

“Perhaps the clearest indicator of this is reflected in that at the time of writing this strategy, there are three young people, the victims of child sexual exploitation, who are subject to a Secure Accommodation Order whilst the perpetrators of these horrific crimes remain at liberty and continue to target other children. The absence of the prosecutions of these offenders is startling.

“Partner inaction may indicate that there is sometimes a reluctance to use the statutory powers available to them, and this is unacceptable.”

But the ethnic make-up of the child sex groomers could cause the biggest controversy, as it seemingly mirrors the problem of Asian gangs targeting young girls in places like Oxford, Rochdale and Rotherham, where an estimated 1,400 children were abused over 16 years after public body failings.


How West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council are now trying to tackle sickening abuse of young girls

Children's charities playing leading role in fight against child sexual exploitation


A report to Sandwell Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) last year drew on an official West Midlands Police ‘profile’ – an in-depth intelligence-based report on Child Sexual Exploitation which revealed how the Asian gangs were targeting white girls with on-street grooming.

The force produced the report in 2012, with a sanitised version given to safeguarding boards in the region. Neither the original report nor the sanitised version were placed in the public domain.

A report to SSCB last year referred to the sanitised police version and disclosed for the first time that Asian gangs are preying on young white girls in West Midlands communities through on-street grooming – the term used to describe children in the UK being targeted by men for sexual abuse.

This can be anything from being offered gifts from older boys to being asked to attend ‘parties’ with older men, where they are abused.

The Sandwell Safeguarding report stated: “Intelligence suggests that of potential suspects identified, 75 per cent of those known are of Asian ethnicity.

“This has mirrored other forces’ experiences of known offenders and, as we have seen from the Derbyshire, Lancashire and Rochdale cases, has the potential to impact on trust and confidence within local communities across the West Midlands.”

The report added that 82 per cent of victims were white girls aged between 14 and 16, with 80 per cent having been reported as missing more than once, and 38 per cent having been in care.

At the time of writing its report in September last year, Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board said there were currently 111 young people known to be at risk of grooming and child sexual exploitation.

Two per cent of victims were aged 11; one per cent aged 12; five per cent were 13; 11 per cent aged 14, and 29 per cent were 15. Of the other victims, 21 per cent were aged 16; 24 per cent were 17; six per cent aged 18, and one per cent aged 19.

Yet the BSCB admitted that total abuse numbers could not be calculated.

“Whilst there is some understanding of hot spots, victim profile and trends within Birmingham, the partners do not yet have an adequate understanding of the size of the problem of which the local community is facing with regards to CSE, nor is enough known around the totality around the number of victims and perpetrators,’’ the report said.

“The need to target, prosecute and disrupt those sexual predators who are responsible for the grooming and exploitation of children and young people is paramount.

“Given the under-reported nature of child sexual exploitation, it is crucial that young people, families and carers, professionals and the community share intelligence on perpetrators, no matter how insignificant the information may seem, with the authorities.

“How authorities deal with, analyse and make connections with that perpetrator intelligence is vital, as is the timely feedback to those partners to use that analysis to co-ordinate prevention work, victim safety planning and disruption and prosecution of perpetrators.

“Given the research from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner within CSE and the link with gangs in Birmingham, the interface between CSE screening and referrals into MAGU (Multi-Agency Gang Unit) is crucial.’’

Missing children are more at risk of falling into the clutches of the abusers, the report added, with some estimates saying 80 per cent of victims had been runaways at some point – and almost 40 per cent had been, or were, in care.

The Mail has previously highlighted the problems of children in care repeatedly going missing. In November 2012, we told how children had disappeared from state-run and private care homes almost 6,000 times in four years, including one who had run away 96 times.

We told how Birmingham and other local authorities in the region were breaking Government orders, in place since 2009, by failing to offer all runaways ‘return interviews’ which could have picked up complaints of sexual abuse.

The BSCB report said 216 under 17s were reported missing between April 1 and June 30 last year, adding: “We know that there is a clear link between children who go missing and the risk of child sexual exploitation.”

The full scale of the abuse has not been revealed, but the force said last month that it was currently dealing with 57 live child sexual exploitation cases, 130 suspected cases, and 67 investigations involving online sexual offences against children.

Meanwhile, last autumn, the Children’s Society revealed the organised nature of the grooming gangs.

It said: “Recent high-profile cases of child sexual exploitation – such as in Oxford and Rochdale – have involved children being groomed or exploited in hotels, restaurants and other commercial premises.

“The Children’s Commissioner’s inquiry on child sexual exploitation in groups and gangs last year identified hotels, bed and breakfasts, shops and food outlets as key locations in which abuse takes place.

“A forerunner to the campaign pack was developed in the West Midlands, in response to concerns that the Olympics could see a rise in child sexual exploitation. A number of young people supported by The Children’s Society project in the area mentioned being taken to ‘hotel parties’, where they were given drugs and alcohol and then sexually abused.

“In response, The Children’s Society, West Midlands Police, Coventry Community Safety Team and other local charities contacted hotels in the city and ran awareness-raising sessions for staff.”

If you have been a victim of child sexual exploitation and would like to talk to us in confidence, please email Jeanette Oldham on jeanette.oldham@trinitymirror.com. Or call newsdesk on 0121 234 5536/5564 and ask to speak to Jeanette Oldham.



**************************



SANDWELL

There were said to be 35 young people identified as being at risk of being sexually exploited between April 2012 and March last year. A report to the Safeguarding Board said: “The 35 children were provided with a support plan and targeted intervention to reduce the risk of harm. By improving recognition among professionals in Sandwell it is likely that we will see a significant increase in these numbers.’’



SOLIHULL

A Child Sexual Exploitation steering group conducted a review in January 2014 and identified two postcodes with the highest number of victims – one in the north of the borough. Skipping school was said to be a ‘significant factor’ in known victims.



WALSALL

The average age of children referred to professionals in the last year was between 15 to 17 years old. Between April 2012 and March 2013 there were 14 young people identified as being at risk of or being sexually exploited. They were provided with a ‘‘holistic support plan and targeted intervention to reduce the risk of harm.’’

FAILINGS

Failings have been identified by both BSCB and SSCB. They include:

* Victim safety was either not in place or lacked multi-agency commitment and effective co-ordination;

* Disruption planning focused on victim behaviour not perpetrator behaviour, including using out of area placements and secure accommodation orders;

* Opportunities were missed with regards to sharing information around perpetrators where a prosecution could not be secured, such as the use of civil injunctions and licensing practices;

* There had been a lack of work to tackle peer on peer grooming;

* The use of ‘emotive and blaming language’ between professionals, and

* No Sexual Assault Referral Centre had been provided at the time for children in the West Midlands; in Sandwell, children under 16 are seen in a NHS paediatric outpatient clinic, which is not forensically secure.

Middlesbrough to lead regional migration and asylum seeker project

Comes after town shown to have highest proportion of asylum seekers in England - becoming only place in the country to breach national guidelines

Middlesbrough is to lead a regional project to promote understanding of migration and to support local asylum seeker and refugee networks.

It comes after the town was shown to have the highest proportion of asylum seekers in England - becoming the only place in the country to breach national guidelines, as reported last week by The Gazette.

Discussions between Middlesbrough Council and the Home Office has led to an offer of Government funding for the North East Strategic Migration Partnership.

The decision means Middlesbrough can access £67,000 of Government funding to take the partnership forward until the end of March 2015, but further funding is likely to be made available on an annual basis.

The Government says no local authority area should need to accommodate more than one asylum seeker per 200 of population.

But a Middlesbrough Council report has revealed almost 1,000 asylum seekers are currently being housed in the town - almost one-and-a-half times the Government limit.

Cllr Brenda Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for supporting communities, welcomed the decision saying Middlesbrough will lead the way to give support to asylum seeker and refugee networks.

Read HERE

Graffiti relating to terror group ISIS appears in Newcastle's West End

Messages reading 'Turkish ISIS Supporters' were spray painted onto businesses prompting concern about tensions in the area

Newcastle’s West End was blighted by three graffiti messages that appeared overnight about the terrorist group ISIS.

Business owner Najeb Kosar woke up to find the words ‘Turkish ISIS Supporters’ spray-painted onto an outside wall of his shop on Thursday morning.

It was one of three messages relating to the terrorist organisation, which most recently beheaded British cab driver Alan Henning, that were spotted in the area after they appeared overnight.

The graffiti has been condemned by local residents and campaigners calling for better understanding between Muslims and the wider community.

Najeb, 39, said: “I opened my shop and quite a few people were standing around holding their mouth when they were reading it.”

The shop owner, from Afghanistan, has lived in the area for the last 15 years and said he did not understand why his shop had been defaced with the writing.

He said: “We have no idea why they have written it. I run a business, I’m not in politics. It shouldn’t be anything to do with us.

“I don’t think they have targeted me personally, they are passing on their message to others.”

The shop owner called the police non-emergency number 101 and the message was quickly washed away by Newcastle City Council staff.

But it is unclear whether the building was defaced in an anti-Muslim act or whether it was a pro-ISIS message. One version of the graffiti appeared to read ‘Turkish ISIS supporters. Long life to you’.

Iftikar Akram, owner of NE Smartphones in the area, said he did not understand what the message was trying to achieve.

“I don’t know what that means. Is it other people trying to call the Turkish terrorists? I don’t know the purpose of it,” he said.

But the message has caused concern that tension could develop in the area.

Najeb, who has lived in the area for 15 years, added that he has never seen any trouble in the community.

He said: “It’s a big Muslim community around here, but there are also people from all over Europe. Everyone is nice and friendly, people are living peacefully.”

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “I have lived here eight months and as far as I can see, there is no problem between the Muslim community and the wider community in the West end. But someone is trying to stir up trouble.”

Abu Tayeb KhairDeen, founder of Islamic Diversity, an organisation promoting better understanding of the Islamic faith, said he believed the incident was an anti-Muslim action.

He said the graffiti was a “relatively minor” incident in comparison to some of the most violent aggression he has seen against Muslims but added it could cause problems.

“Most people are disgusted by it, whether they’re Muslims or non-Muslims. It’s uncalled for. It sends a level of intimidation to the local community,” he said.

“It increases tensions in the sense that certainly some of the youth may feel they need to retaliate. There’s a possibility of backlash.”

He added that those who spray-painted the message had engaged in criminal activity and should be brought to justice.

Northumbria Police is now carrying out enquiries about the graffiti.

Neighbourhood Inspector Barrie Joisce said: “Graffiti not only causes an issue for individuals but it impacts on wider communities, particularly when it’s sprayed in places which are passed daily by the public.

“It’s an eyesore and a criminal offence and offenders could find themselves in court. I’d urge anyone who recognises tags or has information about those involved in graffiti in the area to get in touch with police so we can investigate.”

Read HERE

Children as young as nine on Teesside being taught the dangers of MUSLIM grooming

Children as young as nine are being taught about the dangers of grooming to avoid becoming sex exploitation victims.

Charity Evaluate Tees Valley has delivered sex and relationship education in primary and secondary schools for 10 years.

But project manager, and mum-of-two Annalise Higgins, of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, decided it was time to expand their sessions to include one on subject after the issue was highlighted in a recent review.

A study by Middlesbrough Council revealed children as young as 11 are being groomed for possible sexual exploitation in Middlesbrough.

An action plan has now been drawn up to tackle the issue, with one teacher in every Middlesbrough secondary school being trained to spot the signs of grooming.

Annalise said: “It’s great that Ray Mallon and the council are reviewing how they can stop it from the perpertrators’ end, but I’m thinking about how we can come at it from the other side and help stop victims becoming victims in the first place.

“I thought it would be a good idea if Evaluate could respond to this and look at equipping young people to spot signs of grooming and how to handle it if they recognise the signs in themselves or a friend.

“Quite often, the victims don’t realise they’re victims. More often, it’s people on the outside of it who notice.

“We’re launching a new hour-long session for Key Stage 3 students covering this issue, which we’ll be ready to roll out in January, and we’ve redveloped our Year 7 session to cover things like online safety and sexting.

“Sex education needs to keep up with the times and tackle current issues like this.

“We need to give young people permission to question what’s happening, realise they’re worth the world and ask for help.

“Our sessions give the young people someone to talk to openly, who they won’t then have to face every day, and teachers are then very good at building on what we’ve already put in place in their own sessions.

“I’m also debating whether to create a session aimed at parents, as I don’t think many know enough about the dangers or the signs either.”

For more information on the programmes, search Evaluate Teesvalley on Facebook, or visit www.evaluate.org.uk .


Read HERE

Middlesbrough at breaking point over asylum seeker numbers

A TOWN flooded by a sudden surge of asylum seekers can no longer cope, angry locals claimed yesterday.

New figures revealed Middlesbrough has topped England's asylum seeker league with the town becoming the first in the country to breach Government accommodation guidelines.

The amount of cheap housing in the Teesside town means it has become a magnet for penniless arrivals seeking sanctuary in the UK.

The Government insists no local authority area should need to house more than one asylum seeker per 200 of population.

But a Middlesbrough Council report has revealed almost 1,000 asylum seekers are currently being housed in the town, which has a population estimated at 138,400 - putting it almost one-and-a-half times the Government limit.

Asylum seekers are generally housed at taxpayers' expense homes while the Home Office decides whether to grant them asylum.

The schools and nurseries are full because of all the foreign kids who have come into the area
Stephanie Mullins
The process can take up to a year and a total of 982 asylum seekers are currently housed in paid-for accommodation in Middlesbrough.

In the report to be discussed by the Labour-run authority next week, Richard Horniman, economic development manager at Middlesbrough Council says the town has seen a rise in the number of asylum seekers through Government-funded regional contracts.

He said it was down to "lower value housing" offered in parts of the borough - which make it cheaper to house people.

The report highlights Gresham and Stockton districts as receiving the largest influx.

Yesterday locals told of the dramatic strain this has put on local services.

Stephanie Mullins, 37, said she was struggling to find a nursery place for her son Brodie King, two.

She said: "The schools and nurseries are full because of all the foreign kids who have come into the area. I have been applying for ages to get Brodie in somewhere around here and there just aren't any places.

"There needs to be some kind of control put in place in the town because local people are starting to feel part of a minority. In the past year it has been very noticeable that number of Poles, Kurds and Romanians have shot up."

Her mother Lynn, 60, said: "The area has changed completely over the years, the sense of community has gone.

"It feels as though people are just passing through and whenever houses become available they are snapped up to house asylum seekers rather than given to local people."

Graham Watts, 54, a retired bus driver, said: "I've had a pacemaker fitted and went through a triple heart bypass but I can't get an appointment with my doctor.

"I have to call and ask for an appointment and then they ring me back and assess whether or not I deserve one based on my symptoms. It's all down to the number of foreign people who have poured into the area.

"The schools and doctors can hardly cope. If I am lucky enough to get an appointment the waiting room is invariably packed with people of every nationality except British.

"I've lived here 25 years and it used to be a nice neighbourhood with lots of elderly people. But as they died off their houses were bought up by private landlords who want to fill them with foreigners."

Standing outside Polski Sklep convenience store Julie-Anne Ward, 44, said: "You just have to look around to see the effect it's had on the area, I feel like a foreigner in my own country.

"You walk along this road and see all the old stores being replaced by Polish shops and shops run by Kurds and every nation under the sun except ours."

Charmaine Kearns, 27, added: "It's like living in a foreign country, you hardly hear anyone speaking English and there's no chance of finding a house to rent unless you're an asylum seeker.

"My partner and brother would do anything to find work but it's now even harder to get a job because of all the foreign people who are now looking for jobs as well, they're happy to take less than the minimum wage and there are plenty people who will employ them on the cheap."

But Justice First, a Stockton-based charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers and helps them to build new lives in the UK, said current conditions for asylum seekers were tough,

The charity's manager, Dr Pete Widlinski said it was vital that communities like Middlesbrough did not "turn their backs on extremely vulnerable people."

He said: "I do understand people in Middlesbrough have concerns about immigration but these are people who are literally fleeing for their lives and as a civil society and a community we need to be able to offer them refuge."

The report, due to be discussed at a meeting next Monday, recommends the setting up of a regional "strategic migration partnership".

It also said information about economic migrants is "harder to track" as there is no central register and the impact of such migrants is "largely unknown".

The partnership would be led by Middlesbrough Council and funded by the Home Office to manage issues surrounding migration as well as carry out research the economic and social impact.

Read HERE

Tempers flare as bid to shut controversial £3m HALAL slaughterhouse is rejected

Redcar and Cleveland councillors agree to continue considering compulsory purchase order at heated meeting

Furious residents have hit out after a bid to immediately shut down a controversial Boosbeck abattoir was rejected.

Protesters were asked to leave the Redcar and Cleveland Council meeting today as tempers flared over efforts to deal with the facility.

Councillors voted 31 to 13 to back a move to continue considering a compulsory purchase order while also carrying out negotiations with owner Banaras Halal Meats to move its facility from the High Street in the East Cleveland village.

However, a separate amendment calling for the slaughterhouse’s immediate closure was rejected by councillors after legal officer Richard Frankland said such a move would “fall at the first hurdle” and be a “waste of money”.

The £3m slaughterhouse has faced major opposition from locals after plans were unveiled in 2011 to revive the dormant facility.

Despite a two-year court battle, the site began operating last February.

Locals have complained about the effect on residents, including the noise, smell and traffic.

Read HERE

NOTE: We warned the council that we were watching this story and hoped that residents concerns were taken into consideration when the decision was made. Unfortunately it seems the residents concerns do not matter to the local council, therefor the NE EDL organisers will be having a meeting very soon where we will decide if we are going to hold a 'regional demo' against this slaughterhouse. 

Watch this blog for our decision.

Birmingham EDL demonstration planned for Saturday October 11

The English Defence League is planning another controversial demonstration in Birmingham city centre next weekend.

The far-right group brought chaos to the city last summer, which led to violent scenes along Broad Street.

Now they plan to return to Birmingham on Saturday, October 11, with police seeking talks with those involved ‘to plan for a safe and peaceful event’.

Around 2,000 supporters of the EDL arrived for the demo on July 20 2013, which sparked a counter demonstration by the Unite Against Fascism in nearby Chamberlain Square.

Windows were smashed, cobbles torn up and fences around the unfinished Library Of Birmingham were demolished during the day.

Policing the two demonstrations had cost West Midlands Police more than £1 million.

Now the EDL is planning to return to the city, with a statement on the group’s social media pages saying it has been arranged in the wake of Trojan Horse allegations involving Birmingham schools.

One message said: “Exact times, muster points, and demonstration area will be published a week or so before, but it will definitely be in Birmingham city centre and it’s 100 per cent on. West Midlands division’s will be there in our masses.”

A counter demonstration has also been organised by anti-fascist groups.

Do you want the EDL to demonstrate in our city?
YES: They have a right to demonstrate and should be allowed
NO: I don't want groups like the EDL in our city

A Facebook page entitled We are Birmingham - Don’t let the racists divide us, has been launched along with the plan for a demonstration on the same day.

A message on the page says: “The English Defend League are NOT welcome in Birmingham. Join us to show Birmingham is united Against racism and fascism.”

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police told the Mail: “West Midlands Police is aware that the English Defence League plan to stage a demonstration in Birmingham on Saturday October 11.

"At this stage of planning there are no confirmed locations or times however the force is seeking to work with those involved in the event to plan for a safe and peaceful event for all concerned.”

Read HERE

More than 200 rapists remain at large after attacks in Northumbria Police area this year

Cops are today hunting more than 200 rapists who remain at large after horrifying sex attacks this year.

And Northumbria Police has received an average of almost two reports of rape or attempted rape a day since the start of 2014.

The Chronicle is today revealing the shocking statistics which paint a chilling picture of the scale of this life-changing crime, as it emerged that yet another woman was raped in Newcastle city centre.

Since January 1 Northumbria Police has received reports of 440 crimes which have been recorded as rape or attempted rape.

But so far just 44 of these cases have been classed as ‘detected’ and there are just another 124 offences where arrests have been made.

This means detectives today are still actively hunting the attackers behind 201 rapists, who remain at large, while there are 71 cases that have been closed as ‘undetected’ and will not be re-opened unless new information comes to light.

However, Northumbria Police’s Head of Crime, Chief Supt Gary Calvert, explained that the complex and sensitive nature of rape investigations could be the reason why so many reports had not yet been detected.

“Every single rape that is reported to us is recorded as a crime and thorough enquiries are carried out into all allegations. We work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to try and bring about successful prosecutions,” he said.

“Due to the nature of rape investigations, which require very sensitive enquiries, investigations can take some time. We place great emphasis on the need to treat victims with care and compassion throughout the whole process from investigation to conviction and work closely with partner agencies, such as Sexual Assault Referral Centres, to ensure victims are provided with the right support.

“Since January 1, there have been 440 crimes recorded as rape, including attempted rape, across the force. Of these 71 have been closed pending further information coming to light and any new lines of enquiry will be fully investigated.

“There have been 44 recorded rapes that have been detected and a further 124 where arrests have been made. We currently have 201 live investigations where enquiries are actively on-going with a number of lines of enquiry being carried out including forensic examinations.”

And Chief Supt Calvert is urging anyone who has been raped to get in touch and seek help.

“Throughout our investigation we remain in contact with victims, as decided by them, to keep them up to date,” he added.

“We would always encourage any victims to come forward and speak to us and would not want anyone to feel reluctant about reporting they have been a victim of rape.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Vera BairdPolice and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird
Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has made rape and violence against women a priority since her election in 2012.

Vera Baird, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “We encourage anyone who finds themselves in the appalling position of being a victim of rape to talk to someone and not suffer in silence.

“I know, from speaking to victims in my role as Police and Crime Commissioner and hearing their personal stories of abuse, that these people can be terrified of the repercussions their report might have and it takes huge courage to make their report.

“It is important that any victim comes forward to seek this very necessary help which Northumbria Police and it’s partners can provide them with.”

The latest chilling report came after a woman in her 20s was attacked in the usually busy smoking area between Perdu and Blackie Boy on the Groat Market, Newcastle.

The assault, which happened during the early hours of the morning is the second rape at a Newcastle bar in just over two weeks.



THE FIGURES:
440 The number of reports of rape of attempted rape Northumbria Police has received this year.

44 The number of these rapes that have been detected.

124 The number of rapes where arrests have been made but need further investigation before they are classed as ‘detected’.

201 The number of rapes where no arrests have been made that are still being actively investigated.

Read HERE

Child sex exploitation described as a 'growth industry' in Middlesbrough

New report reveals vulnerable children as young as 11 are being groomed for possible sexual exploitation :: Deputy headteacher says it is 'extremely prevalent'

Vulnerable children as young as 11 are being groomed for possible sexual exploitation in Middlesbrough, a new report reveals.

Dozens of young people have been identified as potential victims of child sex exploitation (CSE) in the town, a report compiled by Middlesbrough Council’s Community Safety and Leisure Scrutiny Panel says.

The panel’s report, to be considered at Tuesday’s executive meeting, aimed to assess the extent of the problem in Middlesbrough, see how it is being tackled and suggest additional measures which could be put in place.

It gathered evidence from various groups, including Cleveland Police, Barnardo’s and the Middlesbrough Safeguarding Children Board. And after hearing concerns that CSE is on the rise, locally and nationally, the authority is being urged to ensure it remains “one of the council’s top priorities.”

A deputy headteacher told the panel CSE was a "growth industry" in the town.

The 35-page report, which includes nine recommendations, heard from Barnardos that children as young as 11 have been groomed via the internet, social networking sites, in parks and even by the perpetrator befriending their parents first.

The report tells councillors: “The bottom line is...protecting children from CSE is everyone’s responsibility.

“The topic often gets highlighted in the media when there is a high profile case, as has happened in Middlesbrough, then once the furore has died down and media attention dissipates, it becomes yesterday’s news. It does not mean that it is not happening, it is real, it’s here and preventing it from happening must continue to be one of the council’s top priorities.”

The panel was “reassured” by the establishment of a Vulnerable, Exploited, Missing and Trafficked (VEMT) group.

Part of the Middlesbrough Safeguarding Children Board, the group meets every six weeks to discuss young people identified as being at risk. It was created after concerns that exploitation had been identified as an “emerging issue” in Middlesbrough and the numbers were “significantly higher” than in the other Tees Valley areas.

At the time the panel met, 42 vulnerable young people were being monitored by the VEMT but, during the past year, the number had been as high as 68. Another group which also meets regularly to help identify potential victims had identified 50 to 60 young people.

The report notes that every Middlesbrough secondary school has a member of staff trained to spot the signs of CSE.

It also recommends that the work done by Acklam Grange School in training staff to recognise the potential signs of CSE should be adopted as a model of good practice.

The school’s assistant headteacher, Martin Burnett, told the panel that CSE in Middlesbrough was a “growth industry” and extremely prevalent in the town, but schools were not “burying their heads in the sand” and were developing ways to address CSE.

The report also recommends the extension of a scheme where, for 20 nights a year between 10pm-4am, a van crewed by two police officers, a social worker, Barnardo’s and a youth worker travels around Middlesbrough, looking for children and young people walking the streets at night.

And it calls on the Government to tighten a legal loophole where taxi drivers have their licence suspended if caught grooming a child in their car, yet they remain free to apply for a PSV licence and legitimately drive a minibus.

Multi-agency working and the sharing of information is seen by the panel as a key weapon in the fight against CSE.

The report states: “Child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated in our area. Work will carry on seeking out, investigating and stopping perpetrators of this horrible crime.”

54 rape cases to be re-investigated

Northumbria Police has re-opened 54 rape cases for further investigation. It follows an audit by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) which showed some rape cases may have been incorrectly recorded as 'no crime'.

The Chief Constable of Northumbria ordered further checks to be made on all such reports since October 2011. A team of experienced officers looked at 153 cases and have decided 54 require further investigation.
"Each case will be reinvestigated by the review team. This will include contacting the victims in these identified cases and our main priority is to support them through this process.

“We are progressing this speedily but thoroughly, mindful of the impact this can have on victims when we speak to them again about their experiences.

“I want to reassure anyone reporting such crimes to us that we will listen to them, take them seriously, investigate thoroughly and bring offenders to justice whenever we can.”

– SUPERINTENDENT NEIL ADAMSON
48 officers who were involved in the cases identified in the audit, and those who supervised the investigations, have been served with formal notifications and those in the Rape Investigation Team have been moved to other teams. Northumbria Police says this is standard procedure and a temporary measure.
“This does not necessarily mean they are guilty of serious issues. This is entirely dependent on the findings of the investigation. If any officer has failed to reach the high standards expected of them rest assured this will be dealt with through the proper procedures.

– SUPERINTENDENT NEIL ADAMSON
Following the re-opening of cases a 50 year old man has been arrested in the Slatyford area of Newcastle in connection with a rape in March this year and has been bailed.