KEIGHLEY is at the "top of the list" nationally for the vile grooming of vulnerable young white girls by Asian gangs, according to the town's MP.

Kris Hopkins spoke out this week as 12 men who raped or sexually abused a teenage girl were locked-up for a total of more than 143 years.

"I love Keighley – it's the town I grew up in and I'm privileged to be its Member of Parliament – but its proud name has been dragged through the mud too many times in recent years because of the heinous acts of sick men preying on vulnerable young girls," he said.

"I'm well aware there are numerous white paedophiles out there and they should be dealt with just as harshly.

"But the sick model of organised groups of Asian men grooming young white girls to be sexually abused remains a blight at the heart of many communities across this country. And, sadly, Keighley is at the top of the list."

Mr Hopkins said he'd warned in the House of Commons four years ago that gangs of Asian men were going around Keighley raping white girls.

“I was castigated from many quarters, received many abusive pieces of correspondence and, on one occasion, was forced to clear my constituency office after receiving a threat," he added.

“This case, the many guilty verdicts reached and the heavy sentences rightly handed down underline the nature and the truth of the evil I spoke about back then, and will continue to raise until it has been eradicated."

He and other community leaders have praised the work of the police in bringing the gang to justice.

But they warn there is still much work to be done to stamp out the shocking crime.

"I want to congratulate all the police officers who played a part in bringing these guilty men to justice," said Mr Hopkins.

"It can often be a harrowing task to collect the necessary evidence to secure convictions and, once again, West Yorkshire Police has done an outstanding job.

“I hope the force’s dedication and professionalism will encourage other victims to come forward and help put other perpetrators behind bars. I'm very happy to provide all necessary support through my office to facilitate this.

“I continue to work very closely with senior police officers and ministers, including Home Secretary Theresa May, to see what more can be done to uncover child grooming rings and track down those involved. We've already achieved a number of improvements to national law and I am confident further positive changes will be made.

“But I must end with a plea. While the police, the Government and I as the local MP will continue to join forces to tackle these issues, we need the support of the entire community behind us.

“I appeal directly to members of the local community that if you know of any individual or groups of individuals who may be involved in these activities, you have an obligation to pass this information on."

Keighley Central ward councillor, Zafar Ali, said the crimes committed by the gang had damaged the local community.

He said mosques have been playing their part in preaching against child sexual abuse, and said such sermons must continue.

"While we can't reverse the suffering it's already caused – and my heart goes out to the victims – what we can do is stop it happening again," he added.

"This is an awful, daunting problem and it's important we come together as a community to deal with it.

"As it is, no religion or culture allows sexual grooming, but the mosques can't stop it from happening all by themselves. Our mosques do have a role, but it should also be the responsibility of parents to teach their own children about this crime and what effects it has on people."

Paul Skinner, a Keighley resident and ex-soldier who founded the Keighley Community Through Unity group, said the men responsible deserved their long prison terms.

"I know the community from which these men originate is appalled at their crime, and also rightly concerned about a blanket prejudice arising from the actions of a criminal class," he said. "We must not allow this to happen.

"The most appalling aspect of grooming gangs such as this is that a group of males has conspired and organised to abuse.

"There's an expectation in society that peer pressure should stop any collective, morally repugnant action like this. However, within a close circle, it's often the case the opposite seems true.

"It appears this gang's criminal behaviour is of a type that's attributable to men of South Asian origin. However, it is not the only such behaviour that leads to sexual abuse. Other methods are used more frequently, and by many more criminals.

"The vast majority of Keighley folk correctly attribute the blame to the individuals responsible. Yes, blame the criminals but don't blame the innocent."

Cllr Abid Hussain, another district councillor for Keighley Central, also praised the police for the work they had put into catching the men sent to prison.

He said the sentences should deliver an uncompromising message to anyone else in Keighley involved in child sex abuse.

"The police have done a fantastic job of investigating this," he added.

"We don't want these types of crimes taking place in our district, or anywhere else in the world. I feel very sorry for the victims and also for the families of those who are guilty.

"As Keighley people, we just want to live in peace with our neighbours. We don't want hatred in our town."