A private investigation led by a British lawmaker has identified “gang-based child sexual exploitation” in at least 85 areas across the UK, amid an ongoing national inquiry into grooming gangs. The investigation, set up by Independent MP Rupert Lowe, found that “rape gangs”, predominantly comprising men of Pakistani heritage, have been active for decades and “far more widespread than thought”.
It also accused authorities of failing to act on the targeted abuse. “Patterns of predominantly Pakistani males, combined with gross negligence from public bodies, are identifiable,” the inquiry said on Tuesday in a statement posted on X.
“This is one of the most comprehensive exposés of the rape gang scandal to date,” Lowe stated. Lowe’s Rape Gang Inquiry, constituted before UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched a government-backed probe in June, uncovered that the rot runs deep. Both ongoing and historical cases, some dating back to the 1960s, were identified.
The probe team said the findings were based on testimony from hundreds of survivors, relatives, and whistleblowers, as well as thousands of Freedom of Information requests. Survivors told the inquiry of being groomed as children, drugged, raped, trafficked, and threatened into silence. Many victims, often vulnerable white girls, were dismissed by officials who failed to recognise them as victims.
