The National Crime Agency (NCA) has announced it will take control of an investigation into allegations police officers took part in historical sexual abuse in Rotherham.
This follows reporting by GB News and the BBC of alleged victims involved in the operation and their lawyers, who argued that an outside force needed to take over.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced its "directed investigation into non-recent child sex abuse complaints from victim-survivors against former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officers" will now be carried out by the NCA, under the IOPC’s direction and control.
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The NCA said the investigation will be carried out by officers from Operation Stovewood, the agency’s decade-long investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, which identified more than 1,100 children involved in the exploitation in the Yorkshire town.
Lawyers representing survivors welcomed the move as a “step in the right direction” but said their clients remained concerned over the continued involvement of the IOPC.
IOPC director Emily Barry said: “Victim-survivors are always at the centre of our investigations and it’s extremely important that they have trust and confidence in the investigation.
"We recognise the concerns that have been raised by some about SYP investigating serious complaints relating to former SYP officers and we want to ensure that any victim-survivors feel able to come forward with complaints about former SYP officers."
The National Crime Agency is taking over the investigation
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The investigation comes after five women who were abused as children by Rotherham grooming gangs alleged they also raped by police officers when they were as young as 12 years old.
According to a special report by the BBC, one girl was raped from the age of 12 in a marked police car and the officer threatened to hand her back to the groomers if she did not do as he said.
Reacting to the news of the NCA taking over the investigation, shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "It is right that the National Crime Agency are taking over this case.
"It would be completely inappropriate for the same force accused of abuse to now be investigating itself.
"That is why I wrote the Home Secretary (Yvette Cooper) to make sure any investigation into South Yorkshire police was independent."
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Shadow home secretary Chris Philp issued a statement following the announcement
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He continued: "The Labour Government must urgently appoint an independent chair to the national statutory inquiry into rape gangs and release the terms of reference.
"Victims and survivors have been waiting far too long for justice.
"Those who covered up these crimes must be brought to justice, prosecuted and, frankly, sent to prison.
"That needs to happen, in my view alongside the inquiry. It cannot wait until afterwards.
Head of Operation Stovewood Philip Marshall said: "The National Crime Agency will ensure that victims remain at the heart of this investigation, as we continue the extensive work that South Yorkshire Police has begun.
"Though our investigation will be independent of South Yorkshire Police, we will work closely with the force and the Independent Office for Police Conduct to ensure that victims receive the best service and support as the investigation is transferred to us.
"I encourage any further victims, or anyone with information that might help our investigation, to please contact the National Crime Agency by calling our 24-hour phone line or emailing the investigation team.
"Alternatively they can contact the Independent Office for Police Conduct."
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "Victims and survivors should always be our priority.
"They deserve to feel heard, believed, and supported, and they must have confidence in the people and systems that are there to make sure justice is done.
"That’s why it was right that who leads the investigation into these allegations was kept under review, and why I’m pleased that SYP, the IOPC and the NCA have listened to the concerns of those young women who have come forward to talk about their experiences.”
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