49 child sex cases being investigated

POLICE SUPPORTING 271 VICTIMS AND ASSESSING 300 SUSPECTS

POLICE in Greater Manchester are investigating 49 child sexual exploitation cases involving multiple suspects and victims.

Some 271 victims are being supported and more than 300 suspects assessed.

That is in addition to cases being probed as part of Operation Greenjacket, launched in May 2019, aimed at investigating child exploitation in 2014/15.

There are more probes into cases involving single suspects and victims.

The force was strongly criticised after a grooming investigation, prompted by the death of Victoria Agoglia, 15, was closed down in July 2005.

Victoria, who was in the care of Manchester council, died after being injected with heroin.

Operation Augusta was wound down, despite police and other agencies amassing evidence against the alleged perpetrators.

Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain, pictured, who is leading Operation Greenjacket, said there has been a sea change in the force’s approach.

“Our commitment to this is unwavering,” he said. “We will support any victim that comes forward.

“We have a full major incident team working on this operation. It may continue for some time, but we are committed to finding the resources.

“We accept it is a challenging piece of work to do, but we are determined to

Victoria Agoglia, 15, died from a heroin overdose get justice for the victims.”

The investigation involves revisiting original victims identified during Operation Augusta and new ones found as a result of fresh inquiries.

ACC Hussain spoke after members of his team arrested a man in his 40s, who works as a children’s social care worker in Manchester, on suspicion of sexual activity with a child when in a position of trust and misconduct in public office. He has been bailed and suspended from his duties.

The arrest is not linked to the case of Victoria Agoglia. The man who injected her was later convicted and jailed.

ACC Hussain insisted that additional pressures on policing due to the coronavirus pandemic would not diminish his operation.

“We are completely committed to ensuring victims receive the right support,” he added.

A review commissioned by mayor Andy Burnham revealed that by the time it was axed, Operation Augusta had details of nearly 100 ‘persons of interest.’

A network of older men, of predominantly Pakistani heritage, were suspected to have used takeaway premises in south Manchester as a base to abuse young girls in the care system.

The official report, published in January 2020, revealed how children were raped and abused. Despite police and social workers knowing what was happening, they weren’t stopped.

GMP dropped an operation that identified up to 97 potential suspects and at least 57 potential victims. Eight of the men went on to later assault or rape

girls.