UK Launches Local Inquiries into Grooming Gangs

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is facing backlash for her strategy to address grooming gangs in the UK, which includes five local inquiries and a national audit, but critics argue these measures lack the necessary statutory powers to compel witness testimony. The local inquiries are perceived as 'toothless' and insufficient, leading to calls for a comprehensive national inquiry from various political figures, including some within Cooper's own Labour Party. A recent survey revealed a 'conspiracy of silence' among Labour MPs regarding their support for a national inquiry, with only a few openly backing it. The government's plan has been described as a desperate attempt to deflect criticism, leaving local councils responsible for initiating inquiries that may expose their own shortcomings. Additionally, the national audit led by Baroness Casey aims to assess the scale of grooming and its societal drivers, but doubts remain about its effectiveness given the tight timeline. Critics warn that this approach risks denying justice to numerous victims by not adequately investigating the systemic failures that allowed the abuse to continue.