The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has initiated a review of more than 1,000 grooming gang cases that were reportedly mishandled by police or prosecutors due to “human error.” The investigation, codenamed Operation Beaconport, will re-examine instances of group-based child sexual exploitation across England and Wales between 2010 and March 31, 2025.
The NCA identified 1,273 potential cases, including 236 involving rape allegations, that were closed without further action during the period. Deputy Director Nigel Leary stated that “in some cases where there has been a decision to take no further action [NFA], there were available lines of inquiry that could have been pursued,” citing “potential human error” and “improper investigative practice” as contributing factors.
The review focuses on cases involving predominantly Pakistani-heritage Muslim perpetrators and white working-class victims, many of whom were dismissed by authorities as “prostitutes” despite being children unable to consent. Police forces had historically avoided recording ethnicities of offenders and victims, a practice criticized by Baroness Louise Casey, who highlighted an “appalling lack of data on ethnicity” and cited a case where the word “Pakistani” was obscured with white-out.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government faces growing scrutiny over its handling of grooming gang abuse, following pressure from figures like Reform Party leader Nigel Farage and Elon Musk. The inquiry could expose systemic failures in law enforcement and local authorities, as well as the impact of political correctness on investigations. Survivors have also resigned from a victims’ panel, accusing ministers of silencing them after being contradicted publicly.
