Child abuse is widespread across the UK, warns campaigner

Billy Howarth reacted to Rishi Sunak’s pledge to crackdown on grooming gangs

CHILD abuse happens in every town in the country and the situation is getting worse, according to a leading campaigner.

Billy Howarth, founder of Parents Against Grooming UK, welcomed Tory leadership contender Rishi Sunak’s pledge to crack down on grooming gangs.

Mr Howarth told Philip Davies on GB News: “Yeah, if it goes that way, I’ll be really happy because at the moment we’re seeing them getting two years, four years, six years, so yes a lifetime in prison will be more of a deterrent than two years or four years.”

Asked if the situation was improving, he said: “Absolutely not. We’re just bringing it to light more. It’s happening all across the country in every town. It is widespread, it is massive.

“There’s more work to be done in this situation. On these crimes, I think top down reform is needed on children’s services right across the country. 

“I believe accountability is needed for those that were malfeasant during these initial scandals around the country, not just with the grooming scandals…there needs to be accountability, top down reform.

“I don’t believe it’s got any better. I believe they [police and councils] were complicit in the abuse of children, I believe they are still complicit now by their reaction.”

Another prominent campaigner, Maggie Oliver, said she was sceptical that Mr Sunak could solve the problem.

Asked if there was cause for optimism, Mr Howarth, an ex-police officer told GB News: “Not really. No, I really don’t. I mean, I listened to Rishi last week, bringing this issue into the public arena, but my heartfelt belief is that he has only done that because he is trying to grab votes.

“This problem has existed for decades. I’ve been shouting about it for 10 years.

“He’s talking about bringing serious sexual offences unit teams to deal with it, early interaction, longer sentences.

“It shows a complete lack of understanding of the depth of this problem, because it isn’t just a quick fix.”

She added: “The issues around grooming gangs are actually a very vivid example of how the whole of the criminal justice system is failing victims throughout the country.

“Now the grooming gang scandal obviously, we now know, I’ve known for a long time, that predominantly the abusers are Pakistani men and the victims are very vulnerable, young white children.

“That is part of the issue and it has been avoided for decades because of that, but the real problems go far deeper, and it needs investment.

“It needs to be prioritised, we need to address the collapse in the criminal justice system, the lack of adequately trained police officer officers, lack of resources, police officers being de-skilled.”