The national inquiry into grooming gangs will now carry out local investigations in Birmingham and across Wales, expanding beyond earlier-selected areas including Oldham, Bradford, Keighley and London. Survivors welcomed the move but warned that widening the inquiry must not dilute the depth of local scrutiny and demanded clarity on how evidence from places without local probes will be handled. Chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield, the inquiry can compel testimony and has expanded a National Listening Project for written and recorded submissions.
National Grooming-Gangs Inquiry Expands To Birmingham And Wales
The national inquiry involves a series of targeted, local investigations into child sexual abuse by grooming gangs [Getty Images]
The Statutory Independent Inquiry into grooming gangs in England and Wales has announced targeted local investigations in Birmingham and across Wales, widening its work beyond earlier-selected areas including Oldham, Bradford, Keighley and London.
What The Local Probes Will Examine
The inquiry said the targeted investigations will "examine the sexual abuse and exploitation of children by grooming gangs and the response of organisations responsible for protecting children" in both Birmingham and Wales. Local investigations will look at how grooming networks operated in specific places, what institutions knew, how agencies worked together and whether opportunities to prevent harm were missed.
Reactions From Survivors
Survivors offered mixed responses to the expansion. Fiona Goddard, who was abused as a child in Bradford, welcomed the inclusion of Birmingham and Wales, saying there is clear evidence "that needs to be properly heard" but warned that "the scale of the inquiry must not come at the expense of the depth of investigation."
"We are already almost a year into the inquiry with relatively little progress," she told the BBC.
One survivor, identified as Carly, questioned how an investigation covering "an area as enormous and complex as Wales" could be a true "deep dive," and expressed concern her community’s experiences might be absorbed into a wider national picture. By contrast, a Welsh victim using the name Emily Vaughan welcomed the move as overdue and said it prevents institutional failures from being "brushed aside."
Fiona Goddard, pictured last year, said Wednesday's announcement left "important questions unanswered" [Getty Images]
Inquiry Structure, Powers And Concerns
The inquiry, announced in June 2025 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is chaired by former children's commissioner Baroness Anne Longfield and has statutory powers to compel testimony from individuals and institutions about what they "did or did not do to protect children from being sexually abused." Alongside national accountability hearings, the inquiry will run local investigations where evidence and public concern justify them. The Birmingham probe could extend to connected areas if supported by evidence.
Before its launch the inquiry faced criticism from some survivors who urged former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips to step down amid concerns the government might broaden the remit to other forms of child abuse. Amy Clowrey, a director at Switalskis Solicitors, which represents more than 50 survivors taking part, said the inquiry must clarify how evidence from places without a local investigation will be treated.
National Listening Project And Next Steps
The inquiry has expanded a National Listening Project to invite victims and survivors to submit written or recorded testimony; submissions will be accepted from next month. The decision to investigate Birmingham was said to reflect a combination of factors including victim and survivor experience, indications of prevalence, harm and public concern.
The Welsh Government welcomed the announcement; minister Delyth Jewell met Baroness Longfield to press for "dedicated activity" in Wales. Political parties in both Wales and Birmingham have also voiced support for local scrutiny, while urging the inquiry to produce timely, actionable findings.
Additional reporting by David Deans and Trystan Jones.
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