Sunak announces crackdown on grooming gangs as Tories are accused of 'dog whistle' policy

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Rishi Sunak promised 'political correctness' would not stand in the way of cracking down on grooming gangs as ministers promised tougher sentences and a new task force of the police to protect children from sexual violence. It comes as Labor has accused Home Secretary Suella Braverman of 'dog whistling' policy after she singled out British Pakistani men and claimed Labor councils had 'turned a blind eye' to signs of abuse for fear of being branded racist.

The new task force, led by police and backed by the National Crime Agency, will be made up of officers with "extensive experience" in the investigation of grooming gangs, the government has said.

< p>Controversially the plan will also see ethnic data used to help police investigate grooming gangs - something ministers will back is needed to ensure that "cultural sensitivities" are not used to prevent criminals from being caught.

Mr. Sunak asserted that for too long "political correctness has kept us from rooting out the despicable criminals who prey on children and young women", adding, "We will stop at nothing to eradicate these dangerous gangs."

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The Prime Minister, who will travel to Leeds and Greater Manchester on Monday, will also promise members of grooming gangs will face tougher sentences, with the introduction of new legislation that would make membership an aggravating factor in the conviction.

Ms Braverman on several occasions alluded to high profile cases, notably in Rotherham and Rochdale, involving groups of men mainly of Pakistani origin during her media appearances on Sunday.

“What is clear is that what we have seen is a practice whereby vulnerable white English girls, sometimes in care, sometimes in difficult circumstances , chased, raped, drugged and injured by gangs of British Pakistani men who worked in child abuse rings or rings,” she told Sky News' Sophy Ridge Sunday.

Despite the high profile cases, a 2020 Home Office report found that group sex offenders are "most often white" - concluding that there was no no evidence that any one ethnic group is overrepresented in ex...