Sarah Champion MP Statement on Operation Stovewood

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has announced that Operation Stovewood will close to new cases in 2024. The NCA’s investigation into Child Sexual Abuse (CSE) in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013 has, to date, secured 24 convictions, with those convicted having been jailed for more than 255 years.  More than 50 active investigations remain ongoing and the NCA will continue to lead on them until their conclusion.

The closure of Operation Stovewood is an important step. It marks the fact 1,140 victims have been identified, and the majority that want to have been contacted and supported. Professor Alexis Jay in her report commissioned by Rotherham Council in 2014 identified 1400 victims. I still believe this figure is only the tip of the iceberg, and that is only in our town.

New investigations into non-recent Child Sexual Abuse in Rotherham will in future be handled by South Yorkshire Police. Changes in how the force operates have seen South Yorkshire Police (SYP) rated as outstanding in protecting vulnerable people in the most recent report of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. I know that the NCA have been working closely with SYP throughout to share good practice.

The NCA has pursued its investigation with diligence, professionalism, and vigour. I pay tribute to the hard work of NCA staff who have done so much in delivering justice for victims and survivors of CSE over the last ten years. Every team member I’ve met has always been focused on getting to the truth. Rather than seeing victims as just witnesses, they made sure that supporting them and securing justice for them was at the heart of their work. This simple step was actually ground-breaking in how witnesses and survivors are dealt with by the criminal justice system and I wish every investigation followed the practice.

I feel proud of the part I played in getting the Government to commission the NCA to carry out this work. It is only by knowing the truth that we can move forwards. It is vital that this same determination is continued under South Yorkshire Police. I will of course be following changes closely and will continue to do all that I can to support victims and survivors in the months and years ahead.