Leaders in Reading have been pressed for answers on what steps have been taken to ensure safeguarding failures relating to grooming gangs and sex crimes have not been overlooked.
There have been calls for the government to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs for months, in what supporters hope will uncover the scale of abuse against women and girls in towns and cities across the country.
Although there have been no high-profile convictions of organised sexual exploitation gangs in Reading, in Oxford, a grooming gang of 22 men were sentenced for various sexual offences, with evidence that some of their victims were girls in care.
Councillor Raj Singh, the leader of the Conservatives in Reading, asked the borough council’s Labour leadership what steps have been taken to ensure historic safeguarding failures related to grooming gangs or organised sexual crimes have not been overlooked.
It follows Labour Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer’s decision to back a statutory national inquiry into grooming gangs last month — a move long demanded by survivors, campaigners, and community advocates.
Speaking at a full Reading Borough Council meeting, cllr Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) said: “While it is welcome that Labour have finally been forced into supporting a national inquiry, survivors and residents want to know that their local councils are taking these issues seriously too. In neighbouring Oxford, grooming gang cases have already been exposed under Thames Valley Police.
“Given that Reading falls under the same policing area, it’s vital that the Council is fully transparent about historic cases, current safeguards, and any risks that may have been overlooked here. There must be no room for political sensitivities, fear of community tensions, or bureaucratic excuses to prevent full accountability and the protection of vulnerable children.”
The Conservatives have requested that the council fully engage with the national inquiry and conduct a full report into its safeguarding policies and any past or current investigations in Reading related to grooming or organised exploitation.
The question was answered by Wendy Griffith (Labour, Battle), the lead councillor for children.
She said: “Incidents regarding ‘group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse’ are managed through the complex strategy discussion arrangements, in line with protocols set out by the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children’s Board.
“Recent examples of these arrangements have demonstrated their effectiveness and positive impact on tackling issues across Reading.”
Cllr Griffith then stated the council’s children’s services company Brighter Futures for Children has ‘robust’ polices on safeguarding children from harm, and the Labour administration is open to the idea of an independent review if there are credible concerns or evidence emerges that warrants specific action.
She added: “To victims, survivors and the wider community, we say this; we hear you, we believe you and we are committed to ensuring Reading is a safe place for you both now and in the future.”
In reaction, Cllr Singh said: “With respect, residents are not simply asking for reassurances that ‘processes are in place’ — they want confidence that nothing has been missed or ignored, as has tragically been the case in other areas. This is not about scoring political points. It is about protecting children, honouring survivors, and ensuring that every local authority is open to scrutiny. That starts here in Reading.”
The exchange took place on June 24.
