Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
The statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs (the Inquiry) is being set up because of the serious and long‑lasting harm experienced by victims and survivors of grooming gangs.
The Government established the Inquiry in response to recommendation two of Baroness Louise Casey’s National Audit on Group‑based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, published in June 2025.
On 9 December 2025, the Home Secretary confirmed to Parliament that Baroness Anne Longfield CBE will chair the Inquiry, alongside panel members Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE.
The Inquiry will begin its formal work once the Terms of Reference (ToR) have been published. These will be agreed with government by the end of March 2026. The Inquiry is expected to run for up to three years.
Safeguarding
The Inquiry has a clear safeguarding responsibility to take reasonable steps to keep all members of the public safe and to respond appropriately to any concerns that arise in connection with its work. These steps may include passing information to authorities such as the police or social care. It will only do so when the Inquiry has cause to believe that a person is at risk of serious or significant harm and/or a crime has been or is being committed. The Inquiry will do so with your consent, unless this places you or someone else at further risk. For sources of support please visit: Victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse: sources of support - GOV.UK.
National Inquiry interface with National Police Operation (Operation BEACONPORT)
The purpose of the Inquiry is not to directly prosecute individuals or make findings of civil or criminal liability.
The Inquiry is working in parallel to the National Police Operation (Operation BEACONPORT). Information relating to safeguarding concerns and allegations of criminal activity received by the Inquiry may be passed onto appropriate authorities.
If you are a victim or survivor, you have the right to ask for a review of how the police or Crown Prosecution Service handled your case through their Victims' Right to Review schemes. Further detail of the schemes and eligibility requirements can be found here:
If you do not meet the requirement for or have not already been subject to the Victims' Right to Review Scheme, you may request a review of a CPS or police decision through their Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel, which details the panel's eligibility criteria.