Casey criticises slow progress on grooming gangs report recommendations

Louise Casey has criticised the Government’s response to her recommendations on child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs, saying progress has been too slow and her patience is wearing thin. The author of an official report says ministers have not yet established reliable data collection on offenders’ ethnicity and religion, which she argues is needed to understand the abuse and how such groups operate.

Casey’s audit, published last year, made 20 recommendations, all accepted by ministers; 18 months later, she says momentum has been inadequate. Downing Street says police have been asked to review earlier cases and will be required to collect ethnicity data, but gave no timetable. Casey also wants sex between an adult and a 13-to-15-year-old to be treated as statutory rape, as it is for younger children; the Government has not said whether it will legislate.