Conservatives in Bradford, including Ilkley and Addingham's three district councillors, have called for an “extraordinary meeting” to cement calls for Bradford to be included in a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
The Government has launched a national inquiry into grooming gangs, and this inquiry is expected to include a greater focus on five areas of the country that have been blighted by group based child sexual exploitation.
Last month new Leader of Bradford Council Stephen Place announced that the authority would recommend that the national inquiry place a focus on Bradford.
Now the Conservatives on Bradford Council – the second biggest political part after Reform, have called for an extraordinary Council meeting about the issue.
The Government has previously said the three-year review will be independent, led by Baroness Anne Longfield CBE.
Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, Leader of the Conservative Group said:
“For many years grooming gangs have been prevalent across Bradford District and many survivors and victims have called for a Statutory Inquiry.
“They have been supported by calls from local MP’s, including Ann Cryer and Robbie Moore in Keighley and Ilkley, Conservative Councillors and other local and national campaigners.
“Over many years, when calls have been made for a Statutory National Inquiry, the Labour Leadership of the Council have refused to call for one and even said it would not bring anything of additional value.
“Baroness Anne Longfield CBE, the chair of the Inquiry is due to publish the criteria used to select the local areas which will be a focus of the Inquiry within three months of its formal setting up date, which was the April 13.
“This means that the criteria will be decided prior to the next scheduled Full Meeting of Bradford Council, to be held on July 15.
“As such, it is imperative that there is an Extra-ordinary meeting of Full Council as soon as possible, to ensure that further to the recent Local Elections, and the change in the political make-up of the Council, with the removal of the obstructive Labour Council, it is crucial that we send a strong united message to victims, survivors and the Statutory Inquiry, that Bradford District must be a selected local area in the National Inquiry."
A statement from Bradford Council said:
“Child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs has been a big concern in the Bradford district for many years, and there have been many calls for a formal inquiry.
“A national inquiry into grooming gangs is now being set up, led by Baroness Longfield. As part of this work, she will choose five areas across the country to look at in more detail.
“On May 21, Councillor Stephen Place, the new Leader of Bradford Council, wrote to the inquiry asking that Bradford and the wider area, including Keighley, be included in the enquiry as one of the five focus areas.
“This is the first time a Bradford Council leader has made such a specific request. A decision on the five areas is expected in the coming weeks.
“It is important that survivors are able to have their voices heard. This issue must be looked at carefully and sensitively, so there is a clear understanding of what has happened over many years.”
On the Conservative’s call for an Extraordinary Council meeting, a Bradford Council spokesperson said:
“We have received a valid request for an Extraordinary Council meeting regarding the Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.
“The Council has until Monday, 8 June to publish a notice fixing a date for this meeting as soon as reasonably possible thereafter. The agenda for the meeting will be the single item raised in the meeting request.”
The issue has been raised by the Conservatives at Council meetings numerous times in recent years.
During a debate on the issue last year, then Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said the Council had “nothing to hide” and had co-operated fully with the Government on the issue.
She said the Jay report into grooming cost over £184m and took seven years to complete. Cllr Hinchcliffe pointed out that the previous Conservative Government had not implemented any of its recommendations.
Professor Alexis Jay, author of the report, called the response of the former Conservative Government to her review “awful, inconsequential and insubstantial.”
In response to a petition calling for Bradford to volunteer to be part of the review Cllr Hinchcliffe said earlier this year:
“In June (2025) we wrote to the Home Secretary saying Bradford will play its part in a national enquiry.
“The Home Office said it will be up to the Chair of the enquiry, not politicians, to decide where will be included.”
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