Rotherham abuse toll may exceed 1,400, says NCA

The number of child sex victims in Rotherham may exceed 1,400, as the National Crime Agency yesterday identified a possible further 110 cases.

The NCA is conducting additional investigations in the South Yorkshire town following revelations in the 2014 Jay Report that 1,400 children were groomed and abused by gangs of largely Pakistani-heritage men.

Yesterday, Paul Williamson, heading Operation Stovewood, said there were now 1,510 potential victims of child sexual exploitation between 1997 and 2013. His team had recently spoken to 260 victims and had identified a further 110 suspects since the report. He said he was hoping to increase his team – which currently has a £6.9 million annual budget – to between 200 and 250 people. “We will not falter in our commitment as an agency to this task,” he added.