MP joins debate on grooming gangs after EDL founder Tommy Robinson came to Barrow

Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell has criticised extremists who exploit grooming and abuse cases to push their own agenda after a Home Office report into the issue was published.

The report looked at the problem of grooming gangs to gain insight on the characteristics of offenders which led to a government debate.

Mr Fell said these people ‘rarely want to help’ and is calling for justice to be delivered with ‘transparency’.

He said: “Every single case of abuse or exploitation is horrific and should be investigated and prosecuted in full.

“But we have to be aware that it is a sad fact that there are people who are more than happy to use the vacuum that follows when police gather evidence or as reporting restrictions kick in on trials to pursue their own agendas.

“Those people very rarely want to help – they are pushing their own agendas and stirring up concern and disquiet.”

Last May, far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson joined hundreds of protesters in Barrow’s Hollywood Retail Park.

The protest was organised in response to claims an alleged Asian grooming gang was operating in Barrow.

Following an investigation a woman was charged on eight counts of perverting the course of justice by making false allegations of rape, sexual assault and trafficking. This case is still ongoin in the courts.

Following weeks of unrest in the town, the English Defence League founder was among four men arrested in the town following a reports of assault on a man. He was banned from entering Cumbria.

Mr Fell said Barrow saw the ‘worst’ of people using abuse claims to push their agenda last summer.

“We saw some of the worst of that in our community over the summer as the far right came into town,” he said.

“Ultimately though, we need justice to be done and transparency – it’s the only way to restore and retain faith in our systems and ensure that people know that when a horrific crime occurs in our community, it will be dealt with fairly and well.”

Cumbria Police’s head of crime and safeguarding, Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden, said pushing political agendas in abuse cases can ‘seriously impede’ police investigations.

He said: “When people make non-factual comments on the internet about ongoing investigations, it adversely affects public confidence and impedes police inquiries.

“It impedes other victims from coming forward. I have been personally accused of hiding and protecting grooming gangs - what personal benefit would I have doing that? It’s abhorrent.

“People need to think ‘do I know the facts’ before they comment online.

“Social media and putting political spins on cases is unhelpful to us and doesn’t encourage victims to come forward.

“Social media is a really positive thing which provides good engagement with the police and people but too often we see people accepting comments as fact and making assumptions which is really unhelpful.

“Social media attacks can turn into physical attacks against people accused on social media, which we saw last summer. It’s doing serious harm to minorities.

“People using cases as a political weapon can seriously impede police investigations.

“It creates a frenzy, particularly online and on social media, which makes people lose confidence in the police.

“When people post negative comments about the police and sexual abuse investigations, it makes real victims question their confidence in the police.

“And prevents victims from coming forward.”