CHILD sex grooming is an issue that simply refuses to go away.

The hugely emotive and shocking subject regularly grabs the headlines, both locally and nationally.

Once again this week, so-called CSE – or child sexual exploitation – is at the centre of debate in our community.

Worryingly, West Yorkshire Police has come in for criticism from the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for several aspects of the way in which it handles child protection cases.

Whilst there are positives and much good work is being done in suspected CSE cases – just last week we revealed 26 men are ‘likely’ to be charged this year as part of a major Keighley-based investigation – serious failings have also been identified. Perhaps of most concern are inconsistencies in responses to CSE and a lack of understanding.

Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson has reiterated child protection is a top priority and has pledged to ensure recommendations in the inspectors’ report are implemented.

The last thing we want in this district is ‘another Rotherham’, where horrific failings were so dramatically exposed.