Bradford Council seeks inclusion in grooming gangs inquiry

Tuesday, 9 June 2026 12:29

Bradford Council has renewed its call for Bradford and Keighley to be included in the National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.

Bradford Council has renewed its call for Bradford and Keighley to be included in the National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.

Council Leader Councillor Stephen Place wrote to Baroness Longfield, the Chair of the National Inquiry, on 21 May requesting that Bradford and Keighley be considered as one of the five areas selected for local inquiries.

Baroness Longfield has now responded, acknowledging the deep concern expressed by survivors and others across the district and outlining the timetable for decisions on the inquiry.

The inquiry panel is currently developing the criteria that will determine how local areas are selected. Those criteria, along with the first tranche of selected areas, are expected to be published by 13 July.

Councillor Place said the crimes committed by grooming gangs had cast a shadow over the district for many years and stressed the importance of ensuring survivors' voices are heard and their questions answered.

He added that Bradford Council is ready to support the national inquiry and would "leave no stone unturned" in helping establish what happened and why.

The issue is also due to be debated at an extraordinary meeting of Bradford Council on 24 June.

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