Bradford and Keighley is one of the first areas selected for a local investigation by the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.
The investigation will look at what happened in Bradford and Keighley, what organisations knew, how they responded, and why children were not protected. Victims and survivors will be at the centre of the Inquiry’s approach.
Why the Bradford and Keighley has been selected
Bradford and Keighley has been selected for early investigation following longstanding concerns raised by victims and survivors, campaigners, and elected representatives.
Keighley is part of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District. It has been named specifically because concerns relating to Keighley, as well as the wider Bradford area, have been an important part of the case for investigation.
This investigation will help the Inquiry understand how concerns about grooming gangs are identified, escalated, and addressed over time, and how local evidence will inform national learning.
What the investigation will examine
The investigation will look at how group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse by grooming gangs was identified and responded to in Bradford and Keighley. It will examine the actions of police, councils, social services, and other agencies, both locally and nationally, to understand where failures occurred and what must change.
It will focus on understanding why harm was not prevented and what needs to change.
The Inquiry will consider the scale and scope of the investigation as evidence develops, including whether to examine issues across a wider geographical area where relevant.
The investigation will gather evidence from a range of sources, including documents, data, and information held by organisations, as well as accounts from victims and survivors and other witnesses.
The Inquiry will analyse this evidence to understand what happened and identify where systems and organisations did not work as they should have.
The Inquiry may publish findings and updates as the investigation progresses. Evidence from this investigation will inform the Inquiry’s national findings and accountability hearing.
If you are a victim or survivor in Bradford or Keighley
Your experience matters. If you were abused or exploited in Bradford or Keighley, or if you are a family member or friend of someone who was, the Inquiry wants to hear from you.
You can choose how and whether to take part. You will not be pressured to do anything you are not comfortable with.
You will not be required to give formal evidence unless you want to. There are different ways to share your experience, and support is available at every stage.
If you are an organisation or institution in Bradford or Keighley
Organisations that may hold relevant information must preserve it.
You must not destroy, conceal, or alter any documents, records, or data that could be relevant to the Inquiry. Destroying or altering evidence is a criminal offence under section 35 of the Inquiries Act 2005.
Details of how to share information securely will be published shortly.
If you wish to share information at this stage, please register your interest via the Contact page. We will provide further guidance as soon as the process is in place.
For general enquiries: contactus@grooming-gangs.independent-inquiry.uk