A KEIGHLEY mum campaigning against sexual abuse of children has lashed out at Bradford Council after it confirmed there would be no independent investigation into the crime.

Ingrow resident Angela Sinfield, who leads a campaign called ACT Now (Against Child Sexual Exploitation Today), vowed to "fight to the end" to get justice for children raped and abused in Keighley and Bradford.

“The world was shocked by the scale and extent of the Rotherham scandal, but Bradford Council leader Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe and Keighley MP Kris Hopkins continue to dismiss overwhelming evidence of similar problems here in Keighley," she added.

"Unlike Rotherham, no-one in Bradford district can say they didn't know about the numbers of children being trafficked and sold for sex by Keighley gangs."

Bradford Council, reacting to a call for the enquiry made by Keighley Town Council, has said an independent investigation into child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Keighley and Bradford would not provide new information.

The district council has already published the findings of a serious case review into the handling of the rape and sexual abuse of a girl identified as "Autumn", who was preyed on by a Keighley gang.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “The Autumn serious case review highlighted areas where we and our partners failed to recognise the signs of CSE, but it also recognises much has been done since to tackle it.

"The review acknowledges that our CSE hub was established in 2012 as a direct outcome of this case.

"The hub brings together key agencies to work together to better protect children at risk. The review identifies important strategic steps the district has taken on CSE, including our plan to provide leadership, scrutiny and challenge.

“The council has sent the review to professor Alexis Jay, chairman of the national enquiry into child abuse, as well as the Department for Education, the National Panel for Serious Case Reviews and Ofsted.

"None has indicated an enquiry would provide new information, and the council shares this view. The national enquiry's chairman is also aware of how we're addressing CSE."

Mr Hopkins said: "While I understand the desire for a review, it's clear the Review Panel has undertaken a full and robust report which has been looked at and accepted by Professor Jay.

“What's most important is they follow all recommendations and these are implemented as soon as possible.

"West Yorkshire Police will require the continued support of all members of our community to ensure these evil perpetrators are taken off our streets."

But Mrs Sinfield responded: "365 days a year there are children in this district still being abused. This is organised crime and kids are being groomed using money from drugs.

"These gangs continue to be untouchable. Just as in Rotherham, a Jay-style inquiry would uncover why that's the case.

“Unless there's a full investigation into how and why agencies failed to protect thousands of vulnerable victims in Keighley from dangerous gangs selling drugs and children for sex over a 20-year period then our campaign will continue.

"Agencies must admit to the true scale, extent and nature of the problem of drugs and sexual exploitation – and who is involved – if the public is to have confidence in the statements that services are robust now."