IN ALL the furore that surrounded the locking-up earlier this year of 12 men for abusing a teenage girl, one important element was forgotten.

There was no credit given anywhere to the vital role played by former Keighley MP Ann Cryer in bringing the vile practice of child sex grooming to public notice in the first place.

Incredibly, it is now 14 years since she took up the case of several mothers whose daughters were being groomed.

As a result of her campaigning, against authorities which at that time would do nothing, a change in law eventually came which paved the way for the first prosecutions.

Without Mrs Cryer's determination all those years ago, we wouldn't be seeing the tide against child sexual exploitation that we're witnessing today.

She is quite right that the battle must continue.

There is a considerable amount of work going on in Keighley, but there is so much more needs to be done.

United Keighley is pushing the anti-grooming message and its efforts are gathering momentum.

And the police are actively investigating further alleged crimes.

You get the sense, however, that we are still only scratching the surface.

Everybody has a joint responsibility to help stamp out the horrid practice.

Turning a blind eye is not an option.