Predator fight must continue (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Predator fight must continue

10:38am Tuesday 14th July 2009 in Keep Them Safe campaign By Telegraph comment

THE sexual exploitation of children is a sickening crime.

In recent years the issue has been a real problem in East Lancashire, which is why the Lancashire Telegraph launched our Keep Them Safe campaign.

This aimed to highlight the problem of girls being groomed for sex by older Asian men.

Since then there have been major strides forward in combating the crime.

When Operation Engage, a team set up to tackle the problem in response to our campaign, began only two men a year were being brought to justice.

Now almost 40 men have been charged with 100 offences. This does not mean that the problem is a lot bigger than it was in March 2008. It means that the methods to successfully report and investigate such offences are now in place.

The team behind Operation Engage deserve praise for their efforts, which have seen them gain national and international attention.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw said that the team’s success would provide huge reassurance to the community.

But there is no doubt that the sexual exploitation of children is still occurring.

The team cannot afford to become complacent but must build on its successes.