Overview
- Scotland Yard says roughly 9,000 child sexual exploitation cases in London are under review, with 2,200 examined so far and about 1,200 still in scope as the total likely narrows to 2,000–3,000 for reassessment under Operation Beaconport.
- Sir Keir Starmer said investigations with evidence should go to criminal courts first, confirming the national inquiry will examine London cases as part of its wider remit.
- The inquiry’s governance has been unsettled after would‑be chairs withdrew and several members left the victim liaison panel, with Baroness Louise Casey assisting efforts to reset the process.
- The Casey review concluded group-based exploitation is more widespread, organised and underreported than officials had acknowledged, prompting the government to commission the national probe.
- A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan called grooming gangs ‘utterly abhorrent’ and highlighted a further £2.4 million package for victims, as critics and a whistleblower continue to accuse the mayor of previously downplaying the problem.