Mayor as former detective talks of her ‘anger’
the period 2004 to 2013 did not recognise nor acknowledge the very serious failures that affected the lives of children in our borough and failed to take the necessary action.
“I want to reassure the public that those responsible are gone and long gone.”
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson said: “It remains a matter of profound regret that victims of child sexual exploitation in Rochdale in the early 2000s were failed by Greater Manchester Police - to them, I apologise.
“Whilst the report rightfully vindicates Maggie and Sara (Rowbotham) and reinforces the importance of the changes we have already made - many with Maggie’s support, it remains to be said that the current prevention of and response to child sexual exploitation in Rochdale and across Greater
Manchester has been overhauled since the early 2000s to ensure that victims and survivors are cared for and receive the expected level of service.”
Maggie Oliver, who worked as a detective constable for Greater Manchester Police and has set up a foundation for the survivors of the scandal, said: “After over 10 years fighting for the truth of this botched case to be exposed, today is a day filled with so many mixed emotions for me.
“My overriding emotion though is one of anger. I am angry that not one senior officer or official has ever been held individually responsible for these failures, lies and cover ups.
“Repeatedly failing to prioritise them, to protect children and prosecute known abusers, whilst all the time publicly pretending they were doing a brilliant job
“I want them to be held accountable for this criminal neglect.
“To get these apologies, and for this review to expose the truth, has taken years of battling an institution which exists to protect itself at all costs.
“It is only by shining a bright light into the dark, hidden corners of all of these scandals and cover ups that we can find the real truth and so demand the changes so desperately needed to our so-called criminal justice system, which as the public know all too well is currently unfit for purpose.”