PUBLIC inquiries have been vital in several towns to ensure child sexual exploitation was properly investigated.

In some cases the spotlight exposed years of inaction by police, social services and other organisations when faced with accusations of grooming.

And as Keighley MP Kris Hopkins points out, inquiries have often been the catalyst for arrests and prosecutions of the gangs of men preying on young girls.

But is there a need for wide-ranging examination in Keighley, even though the town appears to be a hotbed of long-lasting, organised abuse?

Keighley Town Council thinks there is a need, this month backing the calls of a mother for a Bradford Council-led public inquiry.

Mr Hopkins and Bradford disagree, saying action to tackle child sex abuse is well under way with further arrests and court cases pending.

It’s clear the authorities, even if they were slow off the mark, are now making headway against the gangs, with several successful prosecutions over the past couple of years.

It’s right that Keighley Town Council should raise the issue, and Bradford should certainly heed the request for CSE training.

But although there must eventually be a public enquiry in Keighley, to teach lessons for the future, now is not the time.