TAKEAWAY owners in Barrow said they have received ‘vile death threats’ after being linked to alleged allegations of sexual exploitation.

Fahsin Ahmed, who runs Mithali in Barrow - alongside his brother Evan, said he was forced to close his business after death threats left him fearing for the safety of his family and staff on Wednesday.

The takeaway, along with three others, was targeted on social media after its bosses said it was linked to ‘untrue’ allegations of physical and sexual assault against a teenage girl.

The alleged allegations had led to concerns in the community that an Asian grooming gang was operating in Barrow.

Yesterday Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden issued a statement on behalf of Cumbria Police claiming a year long investigation alongside the National Crime Agency and a subsequent independent review found ‘no evidence’ to support claims of the presence of any grooming gang in Barrow.

A woman has been arrested in connection with the investigation.

In a video press release, DCS Holden said: “What I would say is, when the question is asked, is there an organised gang of Asian men in Barrow, conducting abuse or otherwise exploitation against individuals? Our investigation has shown that has not been corroborated.

“Here at Cumbria Constabulary we’re not complacent, we are humble, and if individuals think that they’ve got any information that suggests that’s the scenario or any other information around abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, then they must contact us.

“We will take them very seriously and we’ll do our utmost to investigate them, and more importantly, to safeguard and support victims of crime.”

Mr Ahmed, 34, has now spoken out about the impact the alleged allegations have had on his business and his staff.

“This has destroyed so many people’s lives,” the dad-of-two said.

“I felt sick to my stomach when I heard about the allegations this week.”

Mr Ahmed, whose parents opened the Mithali restaurant in Dalton Road three decades ago, said he has since received ‘vile’ death threats’.

“I’ve had calls and messages saying someone will rape my wife and two baby boys and force me to watch,” the former Victoria Junior School pupil said.

“They’ve been saying they’ll come and kill my family.

“It’s been horrific.

“It’s impossible to imagine; until you’ve been faced with something like this, to know what it’s like to have untrue allegations like this made against you.

“I’m just shell-shocked.”

Mr Ahmed, who attended Thorncliffe School in Barrow, said he planned to re-open Mithali from today.

“Between Mithali, Barrow Indian Cuisine, Dhaba and Mr Cheekos we have 50 people working for us; but that’s not just 50 people, that’s 50 families,” he said.

“We haven’t done anything wrong; we employ a lot of local people and this whole thing has been heart-breaking.

“The people of Barrow have been so supportive of us during the last 30 years and that’s why this has hurt us so much.”

Shamim Chowdhury opened Barrow Indian Cuisine in Cavendish Street in January.

Mr Chowdury, who also owns restaurants in Birmingham and Lancashire, said he was ‘gobsmacked’ when allegations were made about his takeaway.

“We only moved here at the end of January; we barely know anyone here so I don’t understand where this has come from,”said the 33-year-old.

“We have no idea why this has happened.

“We opened just two months before the coronavirus lockdown, and since then we’ve tried to support the local community, and we’ve been giving away food to the NHS and key workers.

“I just don’t understand it. It’s beyond comprehension.

“The Indian takeaways in Barrow; we’ve never spoken before - we’re rivals, but we have now because it’s like we’ve been targeted.”

Police said their investigation had involved significant resources and finances.

Officers said they have increased patrols in the town as a response to reassure the community.

The Mail:

The full statement from Detective Superintenden Dean Holden:

"In Cumbria we take any such reports extremely seriously and have a very robust response.  Cumbria Constabulary have been undertaking an operational investigation for nearly 12 months now that’s been dedicated to looking at specific allegations of abuse.  That investigation has involved significant resources and finances.  As a result, I can say that an individual has been charged with some offences.

That investigation was subjected to an independent peer review in March this year, that review was conducted by experts nationally qualified and experienced in investigating sexual abuse physical violence. 

"Whilst that review did give us some minor recommendations, the outcome was that the investigation had been conducted with utmost integrity, transparency and professionalism.  More importantly, that our approach has been very robust and professional. 

"So I want to reassure people that this is not something that we’ve ignored or otherwise dismissed.  It’s something we’ve taken extremely seriously to ensure that our investigation is completely transparent and professional.  What I would say is, when the question is asked, is there an organised gang of Asian men in Barrow, conducting abuse or otherwise exploitation against individuals?

"Our investigation has shown that has not been corroborated.  Here in Cumbria Constabulary we’re not complacent, we are humble, and if individuals think that they’ve got any information that suggests that’s the scenario or any other information around abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, then they must contact us. 

"We will take them very seriously and we’ll do our utmost to investigate them, and more importantly, safeguarding and support victims of crime. We have a really good relationship with our partner agencies and we’ve been really well supported with children’s social care, adult social care and other partner agencies, and committed to making sure that we provide an excellent service for any such victims of crime."