UK Review Finds Asian Men, Asylum Seekers Overrepresented in Grooming Gangs

A major review led by Baroness Louise Casey has found that a significant proportion of suspects in ongoing grooming gang investigations in the UK are asylum seekers or foreign nationals, with clear evidence of overrepresentation of men of Asian—particularly Pakistani—heritage in key regions. The report criticizes authorities for repeatedly failing to record or act on the ethnicity of suspects due to fears of appearing racist or causing community tensions, which contributed to inadequate protection for vulnerable children, some as young as 10. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged legal reforms to exclude convicted sexual offenders from the asylum system, and apologized to victims for systemic failures and reliance on flawed data. The review highlights how the lack of comprehensive data and a culture of denial have hindered justice and allowed the issue to be exploited by those seeking to stigmatize entire communities. The grooming process is also shifting, with more activity now beginning online. Calls have been made for a more robust national inquiry and improved data collection to ensure accountability and prevent further abuse.