Express
July 2, 2015
At a press conference today, National Crime Agency boss called the huge extent of the rape, trafficking and grooming – mainly carried out by Asian gangs who targeted white girls and young women between 1997 and 2013 – “horrendous”.
The NCA’s senior investigating officer Steve Baldwin confirmed previous reports of around 1,400 sex abuse victims in the town were a “very good estimate”.
Speaking to press in Sheffield, Mr Baldwin said: “The abuse that has taken place in Rotherham is horrendous.
“We have gathered a huge amount of material in Operation Stovewood and this details some disturbing events.
“We will use the information as a starting point for developing intelligence and evidence.
“Given the amount of victims there are, there is potential to identify thousands of offences.”
While none of the 300 have been arrested, investigators say some may have had contact with the authorities in two previous police investigations, as many have aliases and nicknames.
Among the suspects at large are two former or serving Rotherham councillors, investigators said.