MP calls for grooming gang inquiry to cover Barrow
House of Commons/Roger HarrisAn MP is calling for her area to be included in an independent inquiry into grooming gangs.
It was announced earlier this week that the Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs would initially focus on Oldham, Bradford and Keighley, as well as London.
Chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield CBE, the inquiry will compel individuals and institutions to explain what they "did, or did not, do to protect children from being sexually abused".
Barrow MP Michelle Scrogham has written to Baroness Longfield to ask for reassurance that her constituency will be included in future stages of the inquiry.
In her letter, the Labour MP said: "As you are aware, this is an issue that has impacted Barrow, resulting in the conviction of the Miah Brothers in February last year."
Brothers Shaha Joman Miah, Shaha Amran Miah and Shaha Alman Miah were jailed for abusing girls in Barrow and Leeds between 1996 and 2012.
The brothers had denied 62 offences, including accusations they had abused girls as young as six, but were convicted following a trial.
Scrogham said Barrow had also seen convictions for members of county line gangs, whose dealings are known to be linked to grooming.
Scrogham said: "These cases show that grooming and organised abuse have taken place in Barrow, and they underline the need for a thorough examination of both crimes committed, and the institutions to these crimes."
Last year, abuse survivor Ellie Reynolds, from Barrow, resigned from the government-led inquiry into grooming gangs.
She raised concerns about the two shortlisted chairs and their backgrounds in policing and social services, and said she felt the inquiry had become "less about the truth and more about a cover-up".
Allegations of grooming gang activity has sparked controversy in Barrow in recent years.
Eleanor Williams was jailed in 2023 for falsely claiming she had been raped by a number of different men and trafficked by an Asian grooming gang in the town.
At the time her allegations emerged in 2020, police were accused of a cover-up and protests were held in Barrow.
