Two years on from the independent review into child-sexual exploitation in Telford, Tom Crowther KC has provided a positive update on progress.
Acting on his commitment to deliver change, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed the two recommendations for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner being signed-off as completed.
The report also reflects the improvements made by West Mercia Police. The PCC’s first-ever Assurance and Accountability meeting with the Chief Constable in 2016 focused on child-sexual exploitation and it has continued to be an area of focus for John Campion over the past eight years.
Committed to learning from the past and putting victims at the heart of change, the PCC has made clear that work to tackle child-sexual exploitation will remain an ongoing priority for his office and West Mercia Police.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion: “Child-sexual exploitation is a horrific crime which continues to cause devastating damage to communities across West Mercia.
“It’s therefore vital that the whole system gives communities and victims confidence to report child-sexual exploitation, specialist services are in place to give them the support they need to cope and recover, and West Mercia Police is identifying perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“I welcome Mr Crowther’s findings which reflect the improvements that have rightly been made over the past two years by both my office, West Mercia Police and other partners.
“But there’s still more that needs to be done. I will continue to use my powers to bring key partners together to deliver change whilst supporting and challenging the Chief Constable to ensure every single one of the force’s recommendations are implemented in full.”