Anna Dixon welcomes new measures to tackle grooming gangs and child sexual abuse across the UK.

The member of Parliament for Shipley has today welcomed the Labour government’s announcement of new measures to tackle grooming gangs and child sexual abuse across the UK.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Anna Dixon shared her support for the action plan, which includes national support for local inquiries, funding to pursue justice for victims and survivors and a rapid national audit into the scale of grooming gangs.

The Labour MP also asked the Home Secretary to confirm that local police forces, such as West Yorkshire, will have all the resources they need to investigate and prosecute individuals who commit such crimes thoroughly.

Speaking in Westminster, Ms Dixon said: “I encourage Opposition Members to heed the appeal from the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Josh Babarinde) to stop scoring party political points on such an important and sensitive subject.

“I welcome the Home Secretary’s announcement, in particular the Government’s commitment to take action to protect victims and secure justice by accelerating investigations and prosecutions.

“Can the Home Secretary confirm that the support is there so that police forces such as West Yorkshire have the resources they need to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of these horrible crimes?”

Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, replied: “We have increased the resources for police forces across the country by up to £1 billion next year.

“It is really important that all police forces see these kinds of crimes, against some of the most vulnerable people in society as part of the core work that they must do on public protection and keeping people safe.”