Sarah Champion MP Statement on Publication of IOPC Report on Operation Linden
“The publication of the IOPC’s final report on Operation Linden lays bare the appalling systemic failures at South Yorkshire Police. The report sets out an institutional culture where Child Sexual Exploitation was not prioritised, understood or resourced. Officers were dismissive when people tried to report abuse, with victims often seen as difficult, criminal or consenting in their own abuse. Intelligence wasn’t properly recorded, shared or acted upon. Multi-agency working was poor, and officers lacked an understanding of the powers they had to protect vulnerable young people. Most damningly, numerous opportunities to prevent exploitation and protect victims were missed. South Yorkshire Police let down those that it had a duty to protect.’
‘It has taken eight long years, but the truth is now out for all to see. I know from conversations with survivors of abuse that their main motivation for engaging with this process was to ensure that no other children will be put through the hell they endured. We owe it to them now to make certain that that is the case.’
‘South Yorkshire Police has improved, but there is still a long way to go before trust is rebuilt, ensuring the people of South Yorkshire have confidence in their police force again. What we need to see are not small improvements, but wholesale institutional change. All officers and police staff must be able to recognise the warning signs of abuse and exploitation. Systems must be in place to share intelligence accurately and quickly. And the force must work closely with partner agencies not just to stop abuse, but to prevent it in the first place. The report is an opportunity for the force to reflect on its failures, the progress it has made and the improvements it must still deliver.’
‘This report covers failings at South Yorkshire Police from 1997-2013. South Yorkshire Police’s dereliction of duty towards vulnerable children was particularly egregious, but let us be under no illusion that it was unique. Many forces up and down the country have a desperately poor record on confronting and preventing these awful crimes. This report means that there is no longer any excuse for continued failure.’
‘The learning in this report gained from survivors experiences needs to be embedded in national police training and all forces should be required to audit to make sure that similar failures are not being made.’
‘These changes must happen fast and for all forms of abuse. Child abuse now more than ever takes place online. Figures from the NSPCC show sexual communication with a child offences increased by 70% during the 2020/21, compared with 2017/18.i We must ensure all learnings reflect the ever-changing methods of child abusers and confront abuse, whatever its form.’
‘Finally, I want to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of abuse who have made this report possible. It is only through their bravery and their determination that it has been possible to reveal the truth. We owe it to them not to fail to build upon their courage.”