UK Prime Minister Plans National Inquiry Into Grooming Gangs Abuse

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to a full statutory national inquiry into grooming gangs, following recommendations from Baroness Louise Casey and pressure from victims' advocates and some Labour MPs. The inquiry addresses the long-standing child sexual exploitation scandals first exposed in Rotherham over a decade ago, where around 1,400 children were abused, and reflects criticism that previous local investigations were insufficient. Critics have highlighted past failures by police and politicians to act, possibly influenced by fears of accusations of racism, as the majority of perpetrators have been identified as men of Pakistani Muslim heritage. While some officials and reports emphasize the need to fully implement prior recommendations rather than conduct new reviews, the government’s delay in launching this inquiry has been widely criticized as politically motivated. Survivors and campaigners see the inquiry as vital for justice, accountability, and restoring public trust in institutions. The inquiry follows renewed public debate around grooming gangs earlier in 2025, intensified by comments from Elon Musk and ongoing investigations such as the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood.