The Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs is investigating the sexual abuse and exploitation of children by grooming gangs across England and Wales. It has the legal power to compel witnesses to give evidence and to require organisations to hand over documents.
The Inquiry is a statutory inquiry, established under the Inquiries Act 2005. It is fully independent of the Government and of all institutions it is investigating.
Why the Inquiry was established
The Inquiry was set up in response to recommendation 2 of Baroness Louise Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, published in June 2025. The National Audit found that systemic failures and institutional paralysis had allowed grooming gangs to operate and abuse children over many years.
Chair and Panel
On 9 December 2025, the Home Secretary announced the appointment of Baroness Anne Longfield CBE as Chair of the Inquiry, alongside panellists Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE. The Inquiry formally began its work on 31 March 2026 and will last no more than three years.
Read the Chair and Panel Biographies.
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference set out what the Inquiry will investigate. The final Terms of Reference were published in March 2026.
Secretariat
The Inquiry secretariat supports the Chair and Panel in carrying out their work. It is led by Joint Secretaries Alice Bradley and Sally Frazer.
Support available
We recognise that visiting this website may be traumatic and difficult , particularly for victims, survivors, and their families and friends.
If you need support, visit our Support Services page for details of specialist organisations that can help.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
If you are in crisis and unable to keep yourself safe, or are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please consider the following:
- Go to your nearest hospital or A&E department, or book an emergency appointment with your GP
- Call 999 for an ambulance, or 111 for non-emergency health advice from the NHS
- Call the Samaritans 24/7 helpline on 116 123 if you need urgent support but do not want to contact health services