Secret Evidence Held Up Police Grooming Investigations

Investigations into historical child grooming cases in Manchester faced significant delays due to the city council's extensive redaction of evidence, according to a recent report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The report revealed that some pages provided by Manchester City Council were so heavily censored that only a few words remained visible. This made it nearly impossible for investigators to determine the relevance and value of the information contained within those documents.

The HMICFRS investigation was commissioned by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, in 2024. It aimed to evaluate the current state of handling child sexual exploitation cases by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), following years of criticism over their past performance.

One key finding highlighted the inconsistency among the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester regarding the sharing of information with law enforcement. While some councils shared all available data promptly and without redactions, others adhered strictly to specific legal guidelines, causing prolonged delays in investigations and court preparations. Two operations, Green Jacket and Bernese, were particularly impacted by these issues.

Operation Green Jacket, launched six years ago to probe child sexual exploitation in south Manchester during the early 2000s, has resulted in just one conviction. Operation Bernese, established to investigate child sexual abuse after the death of Victoria Agoglia—a 15-year-old girl in care who died from a drug overdose shortly after reporting she had been raped—also suffered setbacks due to delayed and overly redacted documents.

Manchester City Council defended its actions, citing complex laws surrounding personal data protection. A spokesperson explained that improper sharing of sensitive information could lead to evidence being deemed inadmissible in court, ultimately harming prosecution efforts. However, the council noted that improved protocols have since been developed, streamlining the process and even influencing practices elsewhere.

In response to the challenges identified, HMICFRS reported that GMP, along with the Crown Prosecution Service and Manchester City Council, agreed on a new collaborative approach. Investigators can now access unredacted documents remotely, making the process more efficient. Although this necessitated starting anew, it marked a significant improvement in operational procedures.

Despite these advancements, the report acknowledged that trust in the system remains fragile. Maggie Oliver, a former detective who resigned from GMP over mishandling in the Rochdale grooming cases, emphasized how victims often feel abandoned despite placing their faith in the justice system. Michelle Skeer of HMICFRS praised GMP’s progress since 2019 but recognized the lasting impact of previous failures on victims' confidence in law enforcement.

Today, GMP operates a specialized Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigation Team with 98 dedicated staff members working alongside various agencies to support victims. While strategic leadership and resources have improved, training gaps still exist, and restoring public trust remains an ongoing challenge.