Fears raised more than 500 children in Greater Manchester town were being sexually abused last year
manchestereveningnews.co.ukPolice officers and social workers raised fears that more than 500 children from Oldham were being sexually abused last year - the highest in nearly a decade - a Manchester Evening News and Local Democracy Reporting Service investigation has found.
Figures obtained following a Freedom of Information request reveal referrals made by Greater Manchester Police and social services staff in the borough around concerns young people under the age of 16 were being sexually exploited has risen more than 580 per cent in eight years.
Leaders say the substantial increase reflects a more 'sophisticated' understanding of abuse and child sexual exploitation (CSE).
Red flags are raised earlier, and more often, by agencies, they add. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features This includes concerns over sexual abuse within the home and within families - as well as exploitation happening online; peer-on-peer abuse; and grooming by older individuals, or connected to criminal exploitation and county lines.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk