More than 1,000 children were sexually exploited and physically abused for at least 30 years by gangs of men who would share the youngsters around, a damning report has found.
The Telford Sexual Exploitation Independent Inquiry revealed key agencies dismissed exploitation as ‘child prostitution’ and child abuse as well as exploitation was ignored.
Local authorities and agencies were aware of the abuse at the time it was going on and failed to investigate - which not only left children unprotected but "emboldened" the perpetrators.
Unnecessary suffering and even deaths of children might have been avoided, had West Mercia Police (WMP) "done its most basic job" in acting on reports of such crime, according to findings published on Tuesday.
The inquiry, which is chaired by Tom Crowther QC, has reviewed harrowing evidence and statements from survivors and victims detailing their abuse.
Hundreds of girls, as young as 11, were gang-raped, trafficked, held at gunpoint, beaten, and sold for sex.
Survivors, who have come forward, say they sought help from authorities but were left frightened after being told the police could not help them.
