Humberside child sex grooming gang probe Operation Conference closed for second time with no charges

Humberside Police has closed a major investigation into child sex grooming gangs in Hull for the second time, bringing no charges.

The first probe called Operation Marksman ran from 2019 to June 2021 when it closed with no charges even though 34 people had been arrested.

Details of the first investigation were revealed by UK News and Investigations editor Jon Austin while he was Crime Editor of the Sunday Express.

It was after a former social worker whistleblower alleged that police and social services in the area were not taking the case seriously enough.

The arrests were made a few weeks after Jon enquired about the progress of the investigation after the retired social services whistleblower claimed the case and other allegations of child sex grooming in Hull were not being taken seriously enough.

The man, who worked for Hull City Council through an agency, claimed the problem of child sex grooming in Hull was widespread, but he feared it was not being properly investigated after flagging concerns with MPs, police and local authorities.  

Four women, now aged in their 20s, told police they were groomed and sexually abused, sometimes in school uniforms, by groups of men in the Hull area, between 2017 and 2019, while two of them said the abuse happened in other parts of the north of England.

They said they suffered abuse while at school or in care by several men, some involved in the taxi and takeaway trades, and told of being groomed and given drugs and alcohol, before being gang raped.

The force said that offences against two of the girls had taken place in Hull, with offences against the other two girls reported to have taken place outside of the Humberside force area.

However, the case was reopened in 2022 as Operation Conference.

It came after Humberside Police referred itself to the National Operation Hydrant programme for review in October 2021.

This is a National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) programme which advises local forces on best practive in such sensitive sexual abuse investigations.

The Maggie Oliver Foundation, set up by former GMP detective Maggie Oliver, who blew the whistle on failings in the Rochdale grooming gang investigation, also applied pressure to Operation Hydrant before the review started, and the case was also followed up by Sky News in November 2021.

In 2022, then-Humberside Chief Constable Lee Freeman said: “This enquiry remains a priority for us and we are not going to let it drop,” as he commited £500,000 of funding.

However, the case stalled through 2024 as officers were moved off the case due to the summer race riots and a major investigation into a funeral parlour in Hull, where a director was charged with dozens of counts of preventing a lawful burial.

Humberside Police said in a statement: “Child sexual exploitation is a deplorable and condemnable crime, and we are committed to treating all reports of this nature with the utmost importance and sensitivity.

“These cases are usually extremely complex and require a careful and thorough review of all available evidence. To ensure each case receives the care and attention it rightfully deserves, we have a dedicated investigation team with specialist expertise and resources needed to carry out full and comprehensive enquiries, as outlined in the Casey Review.

“We acknowledge the courage and bravery of those involved in Operation Conference, as we understand that talking about sexual exploitation is incredibly difficult and distressing to disclose.

“Throughout this review and investigation, our priority has been to follow the evidence without fear or favour and to complete a full, fair and professional investigative review, exploring every possible line of enquiry.

“As is required for all investigations of this nature, a conclusion must be made to determine whether enquiries have met the evidential threshold to be formally referred to the CPS for a charging decision. Following a thorough and detailed review of all available evidence in relation to this investigation, no charges could be brought against the suspects in this case.

“Should any new pieces of information come to light, it will be treated extremely seriously and investigated to determine whether this builds on the enquiries that have been undertaken.

“The force continues to work with partner agencies and specialist national advisors on a regular basis to help us provide informed support to victims of child sexual exploitation and build upon our knowledge of offences of this seriousness.

“We want to reassure victims that if you come forward, you will be listened to and supported throughout the process, and we will endeavour to do all we can to pursue justice for those affected.

“Any reports of child sexual exploitation will always be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, and we would always encourage anyone who believes they have been or are a victim of child sexual exploitation, or any similar offence to come forward and speak to us.”