POLICE and social services have apologised after an independent review found they had failed to protect the young victim of a grooming gang in Keighley.

The girl was repeatedly raped by the gang in encounters arranged by a violent drug dealer over 13 months between 2011 and 2012, when she was 13 and 14.

Earlier this year, 12 men were jailed for more than 140 years between them for their part in the abuse.

On one occasion, the girl was gang-raped by five of the men who "lined her up" and took it turns to abuse her.

The drug dealer, described as the "evil mastermind" of the group, Arif Choudhury, is thought to have fled to Bangladesh.

A Serious Case Review published today found that multiple opportunities were missed by the authorities to protect the girl from abuse.

The report, which gives the girl the name of ‘Autumn’, describes a “picture of systemic and structural disconnections”, with agencies which did not share information with one another.

In particular, this included a “multi-agency failure to respond appropriately” when the girl said she had been raped in May 2011.

The report says the girl was troubled and police had defined her as unreliable and someone who would lie.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We would firstly like to apologise to the victim for the past failings of West Yorkshire Police which have been highlighted in this report.

“We would also like to thank her for her bravery in making the disclosures which led to the convictions of 12 men for the sexual offences against her.

"We hope that the lengthy sentences they received has given her some comfort and allowed her to move forward with her life.

“While West Yorkshire Police accepts that opportunities were missed in the past to protect victims of child sexual exploitation, it is important to stress that child sexual exploitation is now a top priority.”

Prity Patel, chairman of the board which conducted the Serious Case Review, said: “Information made available to the review was constructively scrutinised and challenged, resulting in a robust consideration of ‘missed opportunities’ as well as what worked well for Autumn and her family.”

Michael Jameson, strategic director of children’s services at Bradford Council, said: “On a personal level and on a professional level I’m very sorry for what happened to Autumn.

"No child should endure the abuse she suffered and the crimes which were committed against her.

“That should never have happened and on reading the report there were missed opportunities to respond sooner and safeguard Autumn.

“That is clearly there. We fully accept the recommendations of the report.”

The case directly led to the setting-up of Bradford’s child sexual exploitation hub, which brings together the police, social services and others to combat abuse and protect children.

David Niven, who is chairman of the district’s independent safeguarding board, said the difference between the safeguarding teams in place now and what had been in place in 2011 and 2012, when Autumn was being abused, was like “chalk and cheese”.

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said the report was a "comprehensive but also incredibly disturbing" document which would take time to properly digest.

“I congratulate members of the Review Panel for their thoroughness and professionalism in putting the report together," he added.

“It is clear that many failings have occurred and I welcome the progress that has been already been made in seeking to address these.

“However, it is essential for everyone involved in combatting child sexual exploitation across Bradford district that the Review Panel’s recommendations are implemented in full and without delay.

“Twelve evil men are now in prison as a result of their heinous crimes against Autumn and, with further local child grooming cases due to be heard, I would expect a significant number of others to join them behind bars.

“We cannot and must not allow these sick individuals to operate in our town. With strong leadership now in place, West Yorkshire Police is rising to the challenge of taking them off our streets. As local residents, it is the responsibility of everyone in all sections of our community to assist them in that task.”