The Inquiry is carrying out local investigations in specific areas across England and Wales. Local investigations look in detail at what happened in a specific place – including how children were identified and protected, how organisations responded, how victims and survivors were treated, and what needs to change.
The first local investigations are taking place in Oldham, Bradford and Keighley, and London.
This is a national Inquiry, and evidence from across England and Wales will inform its findings. Not being selected for a local investigation does not mean your area is not being considered.
The Inquiry continues to gather evidence from all regions, and local experiences will play an important role in shaping its national findings and recommendations.
How this work supports criminal investigations
The Inquiry is not a criminal investigation and cannot determine criminal or civil liability. However, it works closely with Operation Beaconport, a national criminal investigation overseen by the National Crime Agency, to ensure that evidence of criminal wrongdoing is acted upon and perpetrators are brought to justice.
Together, the Inquiry and Operation Beaconport aim to ensure that both systemic and professional failings are identified and that institutions and individuals are held to account, while supporting justice for victims and survivors.
What local area investigations involve
Each local investigation will look at how grooming gangs operated in a specific area, what institutions knew, how they responded, and why children were not protected.
Investigations will look at:
- the nature and scale of abuse in the area
- what was known – and what should have been known
- how institutions identified, investigated and responded
- how victims and survivors were treated when they came forward
- whether opportunities to prevent harm were missed
- whether previous recommendations were put into practice
They will focus not only on what happened, but on understanding why harm was not prevented.
Local investigations will include public hearings. Where hearings take place, they will be live streamed and transcripts will be published.
These hearings form part of the Inquiry’s statutory powers to examine evidence in public and hold organisations and individuals to account.
How areas are selected
Areas are selected using published criteria. The Chair and Panel consider a range of evidence Areas are selected using published criteria. The Chair and Panel consider a range of evidence when making decisions.
This includes:
- what victims and survivors have told us
- evidence of harm or risk
- concerns about how organisations responded
- previous reviews and unresolved issues
- levels of public concern
- what each investigation will contribute to national learning
The Chair and Panel make decisions based on all available evidence and information. No single factor determines whether an area is selected.
Areas will be selected in phases as the Inquiry’s evidence and analysis develop.
Once an area has been selected, the Inquiry will gather and examine evidence before publishing its findings and recommendations. All areas in England and Wales remain within the scope of the Inquiry’s national work.
Oldham
Oldham has been confirmed as one of the first areas to be subject to a local investigation. This reflects a commitment made by the previous Home Secretary in January 2025, and the Chair has agreed with the Home Secretary to prioritise Oldham accordingly. Oldham Council has welcomed this decision.
Bradford and Keighley
Bradford and Keighley has been selected as one of the first local investigations. Concerns about grooming gangs in Bradford and Keighley have been raised over many years by victims and survivors, campaigners, and elected representatives.
Keighley is part of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District. The Inquiry has named it expressly because concerns relating specifically to Keighley and the wider Bradford district have formed an important part of the case for local investigation.
London
London has been selected as one of the first local investigations. London is the largest and most populated city in England and Wales, with high levels of incidents of child sexual abuse. It also has established links to satellite towns around it and plays a key role nationally.
The Inquiry will investigate the prevalence of grooming gangs, how grooming gangs are identified and responded to in the City and hold institutions to account.
The Inquiry will confirm the specific London boroughs or areas that will be examined, as evidence is gathered.
Further areas
The Inquiry will continue to select further local investigation areas as its work develops. Future selections will be guided by our criteria and the evidence that we gather through our national work.
For institutions and organisations
Organisations that may hold relevant information are required to preserve it. Do 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.