A landmark meeting has sealed a pledge to tackle sexual grooming and exploitation of girls.

The chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir Norman Bettison, chaired the gathering of police, community and religious leaders.

The initiative has been backed by Bradford councillor Khadim Hussain. He attended due to his experience working with families of victims when the grooming issue first hit the headlines in Keighley a decade ago.

Coun Hussain said: “We condemn these acts of criminality. We want to support our values and help bring those responsible to justice.”

Coun Hussain said only a minority of any community was involved in the grooming of young girls He said: “If there are issues within any section of the community, then the community needs to take ownership and address those issues.

“We have to look at the root causes, the cultural and social issues in the community, and address those.”

The meeting last Friday was called after members of Bradford’s Asian community spoke out in the wake of a recent case in Rochdale and wanted to quash the myth that such crimes are confined to one area or community.

Sir Norman said: “Men who exploit young girls in this way are criminals, pure and simple.

“Let me be clear, we will pursue those people wherever the investigation leads us. People will be arrested, they will be charged on the evidence available and they will be brought before the courts.”

Sir Norman said victims were often vulnerable girls, lured into a world of abuse by someone who appears to offer them affection, something that may have been lacking elsewhere.

Rafique Seghal, president of Bradford Council of Mosques, echoed the message that communities needed to pay their part. He said: “We are all in this together and need to play a part in our communities. Crime is crime and won’t be tolerated.”

Selina Ullah, of the Muslim Women’s Council, said Muslim women accepted there was a growing epidemic in relation to grooming, child abuse and paedophilia.

She said: “We all have a duty to keep our young people safe.”