Oxford police crack down on child prostitution ring

Officers in Thames Valley Police launched raids across Oxford early this morning to crack down on a group suspected of raping and selling sex with 24 young girls.

The raids resulted in the arrests of 13 men aged between 21 and 37 who are currently being held in custody.

They are suspected of committing a variety of offences including causing the prostitution of underage girls, administrating drugs for the purpose of rape, trafficking, grooming and rape.

Police said they acted to prevent future abuse and to protect the identities of the girls, who are aged between 11 and 16. All were known to social services and have been decribed by police as "very vulnerable".

ITV News' Political Correspondent Lucy Manning spoke to one of the detectives involved in the case, who said that the victims involved are vulnerable and that gaining information from them has been challenging. See her report from Oxford:

Police suspect the abuse has been going on for six years, although it only came to their attention last year when suspicions were raised about some of the girls in social care going missing.

Today's arrests are the result of a complex joint investigation by Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Councils Children, Education and Families Department.

Senior Investigating Officer Simon Morton described the intentions of Operation Bullfinch:

Police have advised anyone who suspects similar crimes may be happening in their neighbourhood to contact their local police by dialling 101.

If you are worried about somebody who you think may be a victim of child exploitation you can call ChildLine on 0800 11 11 or visit their website.