This is the official website of the Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.
An independent statutory inquiry investigating the sexual abuse and exploitation of children by grooming gangs across England and Wales.
Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs – Opening Statement
What this Inquiry is doing
Children across England and Wales were sexually abused and exploited by grooming gangs. There are serious questions about how and why institutions tasked with protecting children frequently failed to do so.
Working closely with the victims and survivors of abuse, the independent Inquiry will examine those failures by following the evidence, wherever it leads. It will hold those responsible to account and make recommendations to prevent future abuse.
The Inquiry is a statutory inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005. It was set up following Baroness Louise Casey’s 2025 national audit, which found serious and repeated failures to protect children from organised sexual abuse.
How the Inquiry is progressing
The Inquiry formally began on 31 March 2026 and will run for no more than three years. Here is what is happening:
Local investigations are being planned across England and Wales.
The Inquiry secretariat has been appointed and is up and running.
Are you a victim or survivor?
Your voice is at the heart of this Inquiry.
If you experienced abuse or exploitation, or if you are a family member or friend of someone who did, the Inquiry wants to hear from you. We are putting in place safe and confidential ways for you to share your experience and contribute to the Inquiry’s work.
You do not have to do this alone. Support is available now — before, during, and after any involvement with the Inquiry.
Find out about support services.
Do you have information relevant to the Inquiry?
If you hold documents, records, or other evidence that may be relevant, the Inquiry encourages you to come forward.
Please do not send evidence by email at this stage. From April 2026, we will be providing a secure and confidential way for you to submit evidence directly to the Inquiry.
In the meantime, you can send any general enquiries to contactus@grooming-gangs.independent-inquiry.uk
Following the Inquiry
Public hearings will be live-streamed on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel. Transcripts will be published on this website after each hearing. The Inquiry is open and transparent, and proceedings are public unless there is a specific legal reason to restrict them.
Press and media
For press and media enquiries, please contact pressqueries@grooming-gangs.independent-inquiry.uk.