Girls as young as 14 raped by gangs in London, Met Police say

"The Metropolitan Police told the Standard it has always recognised the serious harm caused by group-based child sexual and criminal exploitation and remains resolute in protecting vulnerable girls and women. Det Sgt Knox believes there are at least 60 children in his area of south London who are being exploited by gangs. He said the teenagers are as young as 13 but 15 would be the upper limit,"

"Kelly, not her real name, told the BBC she had been groomed by three white men in the capital. She was initially forced to deal drugs but said the exploitation then got worse. Kelly said: I had no money, felt neglected and saw an opportunity to feel part of something so I made some bad connections and before long I was selling drugs on the streets."

"Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth said the grooming gang issue was very high on the force's threat and risk radar. He added: We are very, very acutely aware of the risk of grooming gangs here in London and their prevalence, he added. We have seen examples of grooming gangs whether they're grooming children for criminal exploitation or sexual exploitation. The Met is re-examining 9,000 cases of child exploitation in London over the"

Gangs in London are forcing girls as young as 13 to 15 into sex and criminal activity. Survivors report abuse by offenders from different ethnic backgrounds, including white men, operating across the capital. The Metropolitan Police recognise serious harm from group-based child sexual and criminal exploitation and are re-examining 9,000 cases of child exploitation in London. Det Sgt Knox estimates at least 60 children in his south London area are being exploited and states that if a girl cannot say no, it is considered rape by police. A survivor known as Kelly said grooming began with drug dealing and escalated into sexual exploitation and manipulation.

Read at www.standard.co.uk