TV documentary to show Telford sex ring investigation
Detectives who investigated a child trafficking network in Telford and eventually put eight offenders behind bars will feature on a Channel 4 documentary tonight.
The Hunt for Britain’s Sex Gangs”, follows the team of West Mercia Police detectives as they work on one of the most complex and sensitive enquiries the force has ever carried out.
The investigation, Operation Chalice, eventually encompassed over 100 victims, and around 200 suspected perpetrators.
The Hunt for Britain's Sex Gangs follows - with unprecedented access - a live police investigation, showing just how difficult it is to secure justice for victims of sexual abuse, especially when some girls were just 11 when they were first abused.
Gaining the trust of victims - who as a result of the grooming process, don't see themselves as victims - is key to the success of the case, but it takes months for the police to win their trust and keep them on board as they prepare for the harrowing process of going to court.
As the police work with the victims, they begin to understand a vicious cycle of grooming, which starts with flattery and friendship, then moves on to a more overtly sexual relationship, and finally becomes exploitative as the groomers pass the girls around their networks of friends and family for sex.
Directed by documentary maker, Anna Hall, who first learnt about this phenomenon of predominantly Pakistani men grooming white school girls 17 years ago, The Hunt for Britain's Sex Gangs is her third film for Channel 4 on the subject.
Speaking about West Mercia Police’s involvement in the ‘Dispatches’ documentary, Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman said:
“When the film company, True Vision, approached us about making a documentary that followed this investigation we thought long and hard about whether we should take part.
“After considering our position for some time, we eventually decided to take part in the documentary as we felt it was an opportunity to raise public awareness about this type of crime and hopefully encourage other victims – locally and nationally - to come forward with greater confidence that their disclosures would be taken seriously.
“Operation Chalice was a challenging, sensitive and complicated investigation. The offences we investigated are truly appalling and it is very satisfying that as a result of our investigation eight men were sentenced to almost 60 years in prison.
“We are pleased with the final documentary as we believe it not only shows the gravity and scale of the offences we investigated, but also how difficult it is for the victims to come forward and also remain supportive of the lengthy criminal justice process.
“What’s more the film also demonstrates quite how difficult the court process itself is for victims in this type of case when they are put before a jury at a trial and interrogated by defence barristers.
“I would once again like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the strength and character shown by all of the victims who came and gave evidence during Operation Chalice and also thank their families for the support they have shown during what has been a truly horrible time.
“We feel that producer/director Anna Hall and her team have handled a sensitive subject in a very balanced manner and although taking part in the documentary was perhaps an unusual step for us in a live investigation, we believe the finished programme – and the issues it raises – means it was a decision that proved a good one."
Jon Brown, lead for tackling sexual abuse at the NSPCC, said:
"This groundbreaking film lifts the lid on the secret world of abuse that is happening in towns and cities across the UK. It does not shy away from showing the utter devastation that grooming and rape have on young people. It also shows that despite failings in some cases, many professionals are working incredibly hard to tackle these gangs and protect young victims. They are also very understanding of the seemingly self-destructive behaviour of some young people and never judge or blame them.
"We hope this moving and sometimes disturbing documentary will finally put an end to any misguided views that some girls are making a 'lifestyle' choice or are in some way to blame for what is happening to them. It is difficult viewing but we applaud the makers for being brave enough to tackle such a shocking and important issue."
The documentary will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 9pm this evening.
