Police refer 14 staff to IPCC over Rotherham abuse scandal

The police force at the centre of the Rotherham abuse scandal have referred 14 staff members of its staff to police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

South Yorkshire Police said it had not ruled out referring more people as investigations continue into what happened in the town.

The force has been heavily criticised in the wake of the Jay Report, published in August, which outlined how at least 1,400 children had been sexually exploited by gangs of men in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

Professor Alexis Jay, who wrote the report, said senior police and council officials must have known what was happening but failed to act.

In a statement, the force said: "South Yorkshire Police has now referred 14 people to the IPCC and may make further referrals should the criteria be met.

"Both South Yorkshire Police and the independent investigation will remain in constant dialogue with the IPCC."