Police Hold Suspected Child Prostitution Ring

Police made 12 arrests as part of Operation Bullfinch (file)
11:46am UK, Thursday March 22, 2012

David Crabtree, Midlands correspondent

Twelve men have been arrested as part of an investigation into the suspected exploitation of dozens of girls under the age of 16 in Oxford, police have said.
The arrests are part of Operation Bullfinch, which was looking into the alleged exploitation of 24 girls aged between 11 and 16.

The men aged between 21 and 37, have been arrested on suspicion of various offences, including causing the prostitution of females under the age of 18, administering drugs for the purpose of rape, trafficking, grooming and rape.

The joint investigation, being carried out by Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council's Children, Education and Families Department, is aimed at rescuing potential victims and securing convictions of suspects.

Detective Superintendent Rob Mason said: "We believe we have uncovered an organised crime group who have been running a business of selling young girls for sex.


...the arrests have been made to protect the girls from further harm. Our number one priority is to protect the victims, both their identities and wellbeing."

Detective Superintendent Rob Mason, Thames Valley Police
"We have also identified a number of customers who we have reason to believe have used this service.

"We believe the offending spans over a six-year period... the arrests have been made to protect the girls from further harm. Our number one priority is to protect the victims, both their identities and wellbeing."

Councillor Louise Chapman, Cabinet member for Children Young People and Families from Oxfordshire County Council, said: "Thames Valley Police and the Oxfordshire County Council's children's social care team linked up swiftly when it became apparent that it would be dealing with an investigation that centred on child exploitation.

"This prompt action allowed children's social care workers to work in close partnership with Thames Valley Police, with officers from the county council being seconded to the police, working from police premises.

"The county council has assisted in what has been a complex investigation leading to today's events. Its focus has been, and will continue to be, on the care for alleged victims.

"Thames Valley Police has demonstrated in conducting this investigation that it is not prepared to tolerate child exploitation in Oxfordshire. The county council feels sure it is speaking for the whole community in expressing total support for the police in this regard."

Thames Valley Police commander for Oxford, Supt Chris Sharp, said: "I understand today's events will have an impact on residents.

"My neighbourhood policing teams will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area issuing information about the operation with contact details if people need further information, or would like to report any activity in relation to this investigation.

"There are individuals and groups who may seek to take advantage of the young and vulnerable and it is our job, working with our partners to prevent whatever form of abuse takes place and bring those responsible to justice."

Sheila Taylor, director of the National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children & Young People (NWG) said: "Cases of child sexual exploitation are complex and difficult to investigate and bring those who perpetuate the crimes to justice.

"As always our concerns lie with the young people who have been victims and are very pleased to see a complete multi-agency team approach to assisting the recovery of the young people.

"The experience of our members in the network is that both victims and offenders come from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds."

"The experience of our members in the network is that both victims and offenders come from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds."

Yeah!! No doubt the offenders were Asian Moslems, and the victims were white school children who were in care. Yabba yabba....same old, same old?

...a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.

Oh yeh?