THAT well-worn phrase, 'better late than never', may ring rather hollow for Keighley anti-grooming campaigners.

Some might welcome the apology from West Yorkshire Police, for missing the signs of child sexual exploitation in the past.

But in so many ways, it has come much too late.

Keighley's then Labour MP Ann Cryer suffered vile verbal abuse and was accused of 'demonising' the Asian community when she began a campaign more than a decade ago to get the authorities to tackle grooming in the town.

Her fight – sparked by an approach from a group of mothers whose young daughters were being targeted – eventually led to a change in law which made grooming for sex a criminal offence and allowed parents to give evidence in court.

However, the way she and fellow campaigner Angela Sinfield were largely ignored by the authorities was totally unacceptable.

And it begs the question how many young lives could have been protected from harm if the warnings had been heeded all those years ago.

There is no doubting the fact that the issue is taken seriously now by the police.

Earlier this year, 12 men were locked-up for a total of more than 143 years after being convicted of raping or abusing a teenage girl in Keighley.

Plus many more alleged cases are being investigated.

We must be sure, though, that lessons are fully learned and all measures – including the active support of community leaders – are utilised to tackle the problem.

Pretending there isn't a problem is no longer an option.