PCC Shaun Wright: "I apologise again"

“The Commissioner is pleased that the inquiry conducted by Alexis Jay finally shines a light on the errors made in relation to safeguarding children in Rotherham and that constructive action can be taken to protect young people as a result of the report and recommendations.

“The Commissioner has previously apologised for the failure of Rotherham Council while he was in its cabinet from 2005 to 2010.

He repeats that apology today and he fully accepts that there was more that everyone at Rotherham Council should have done to tackle this terrible crime.

“Since becoming Police and Crime Commissioner he has repeatedly publicly made tackling child sexual exploitation his number one priority.

“He asked HMIC to conduct a review into South Yorkshire Police’s handling of CSE cases. The report they produced was very critical of the force and subsequently Mr Wright asked the Force to implement its recommendations in full. At his request, HMIC returned to monitor progress and reported that good progress had been made.

“He is expecting a response imminently to a request he made to the Chief Constable for a report into progress being made with historic sexual abuse cases in Rotherham and across the county.

“And working with Victim Support, he has set up South Yorkshire Victims Support Service to help young people and their families better deal with giving evidence in court – an innovation that is now set to be rolled out nationally.

“Professor Jay’s report makes recommendations for improvements in the way South Yorkshire Police deal with these crimes, and Mr Wright will be meeting with the Chief Constable to ensure these are implemented in full.

“He is more determined than ever to lead a Police Force that effectively roots out the evil criminals who carry out such disgraceful abuse to South Yorkshire children and brings them to justice.”