Eight charged over child sexual exploitation

GMP

Eight men from Rochdale have been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation

The charges include rape, trafficking a child, paying for sexual services of a child, and controlling child prostitution.

The inquiry has been led by Greater Manchester Police’s Public Protection Division, assisted by the Major Incident Team and Rochdale division, and focuses on allegations that four teenage victims in Rochdale were sexually exploited over a period of time.

Abdul Rauf, 42, of Darley Road, Rochdale, was charged with conspiracy to commit sexual activity with girls under 16, sexual activity, paying for the sexual services of a child, trafficking a child within the UK.

Mohammed Ikhlaq, 41, of Cloverhall Crescent, Rochdale, was charged with conspiracy to commit sexual activity with girls under 16.

Adil Khan, 41 , of Oswald Street, Rochdale, was charged with conspiracy to commit sexual activity with girls under 16, two offences of sexual activity, trafficking a child within the UK.

Liaquat Shah, 40, of Kensington Street, Rochdale, was charged with conspiracy to commit penetrative sexual activity with girls under 16 and two counts of rape.

Mohammed Sajid, 34, of Jepheys Street, Rochdale, was charged with conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a girl under 16, three offences of sexual activity and attempted to pay for the sexual services of a child.

Qamar Shahzad, 29, of Tweedale Street, Freehold, was charged with conspiracy to commit sexual activity with girls under 16 and rape.

Mohammed Amin, 44, of Falinge Road, Falinge, was charged with conspiracy to commit sexual activity with girls under 16, sexual assault and sexual activity.

Abdul Aziz, 40, of Armstrong Hurst Close, Rochdale, was charged with
conspiracy to commit sexual activity with girls under 16, trafficking girls, rape and controlling child prostitution.

Hamid Safi, 21 , of Kensington Street, Rochdale, failed to answer bail and is now wanted by police.

Three men aged between 34 and 43, answered bail yesterday (7 June) and were re-bailed to later dates.

The men are among 26 men arrested over a period of several months in relation to the sexual exploitation of teenage girls by men since 2008.

A further five men are due to answer bail on 21 June 2011. Five men have been released without charge while three other men are not on bail. One man is now being dealt with by the UK Borders Agency.


Anyone who is concerned about a child or young person should call Greater Manchester Police’s safeguarding vulnerable people team on 0161 856 3307 or the NSPCC on 0800 800 5000. Any child or young person wanting help and advice can use the numbers above or contact Childline on 0800 1111.

Children's charity Barnardo's have issued the following telltale signs to look for: 

• disengagement from education; young people who are not in school during the day may be more at risk of sexual exploitation. Children who are becoming involved in this activity may begin to skip school or become disruptive
• risky behaviours; including secretive use of mobile phones and the internet
• repeatedly going missing
• unexplained gifts; children who appear to have new clothes, jewellery, mobile phones or money that cannot 'plausibly' be accounted for
• peers and friends; involved in sexual exploitation and with 'older' boyfriends/girlfriends
• drugs/alcohol; drug or alcohol abuse may leave children more vulnerable to sexual exploitation, it is also true to say that 'abusers' may use drugs and alcohol to help control children
• sexual health issues; a history of unprotected sex leading to STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infection) or inappropriate sexual behaviour.