Calls for urgent inquiry into high street child abuse claims

Senior politicians have called for an urgent and thorough investigation into alleged child sexual exploitation linked to high streets in the West Midlands.

The government said it was incredibly concerned after the BBC revealed a council worker repeatedly shared reports with authorities that children as young as 11 were at risk of sexual abuse at mini-marts and vape shops.

Leaders from across the political spectrum have since called for an immediate investigation, calling the allegations "harrowing" and "sickening".

West Midlands Police, which initially said there was no evidence to back the claims, said it had reviewed all information and was satisfied "this has been actioned appropriately".

Extracts from intelligence briefings from 2019 to 2024 also claimed children might have been at risk of being sexually abused after being offered drugs, alcohol and cigarettes at mini-marts.

A woman who previously worked at a mini-mart in the West Midlands told the BBC she was sexually assaulted by a shop worker shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic.

She described going into a different mini-mart to buy cigarettes and being touched by a worker, who then tried to drag her into the toilets.

"I screamed and ran out of the shop," said the woman, who was 21 years old at the time and has since moved out of the area.

She said she was touched and propositioned for sex by mini-mart workers multiple times at different shops.

"They were harassing me, touching me… saying, 'I'll pay you money to go to the hotel,'" she added.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said it was "appalling" that police initially denied there was any evidence of abuse.

"These apparently systematic crimes need an urgent and coordinated police investigation," he added.

Zia Yusuf, Reform UK spokesperson for home affairs, said the reports were "sickening" and described West Midlands Police's initial claim of no evidence as a "complete collapse of duty".

"These allegations must be investigated immediately," he said, "and anyone who failed to protect these children must be held accountable."

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the revelations in the BBC's investigation were "harrowing".

"There are now serious questions for authorities in the West Midlands to answer about what could be an appalling scandal happening right here on British high streets."

West Midlands Police initially said: "There is currently no evidence to substantiate these claims of child sexual exploitation (CSE) connected to shops in Dudley."

But after further evidence was presented by the BBC, the force issued an updated statement which did not contain the claims of "no evidence".

In a further statement on Wednesday, a force spokesperson said: "We have reviewed all information supplied by the BBC and to date we are satisfied that this has been actioned appropriately.

"We have a robust partnership approach to CSE and safeguarding in the borough and across the wider West Midlands.

"CSE is a serious crime, so we will always act on any information we receive."

A government spokesperson said all police forces were expected to "rigorously investigate" any claims of child sexual abuse "to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice".

"These reports are incredibly concerning," they added. "Sexual and criminal abuse of children by gangs are among the most horrific crimes imaginable."

Meanwhile, politicians from across Dudley Council's political divides are calling a special meeting of the authority to debate the media reports of child grooming.

Councillor Pete Lowe, Black Country Party member, said: "I am appalled at reading the report and the potential that this has been happening in our communities."

Additional reporting by Phillip Edwards