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Police Chief Quits Over Child Sex Abuse Scandal in English Town Police Chief Quits Over Child Sexual Abuse Scandal in English Town
(about 14 hours later)
LONDON — The police commissioner in charge of the northern English town of Rotherham resigned on Tuesday after weeks of pressure and intense public outrage over a sexual abuse scandal in the town involving as many as 1,400 children.LONDON — The police commissioner in charge of the northern English town of Rotherham resigned on Tuesday after weeks of pressure and intense public outrage over a sexual abuse scandal in the town involving as many as 1,400 children.
A report published on Aug. 26 said that children in Rotherham had been beaten, raped and trafficked by organized gangs in northern England over a period of 16 years, from 1997 to 2013, while the local authorities ignored a series of red flags. The commissioner, Shaun Wright, was head of children’s services in Rotherham during part of that time, and later became the police and crime commissioner for all of South Yorkshire, the post he resigned from on Tuesday.A report published on Aug. 26 said that children in Rotherham had been beaten, raped and trafficked by organized gangs in northern England over a period of 16 years, from 1997 to 2013, while the local authorities ignored a series of red flags. The commissioner, Shaun Wright, was head of children’s services in Rotherham during part of that time, and later became the police and crime commissioner for all of South Yorkshire, the post he resigned from on Tuesday.
The publication of the report by Alexis Jay prompted repeated calls for Mr. Wright to resign, including by Prime Minister David Cameron and other senior politicians. After Mr. Wright appeared before the South Yorkshire regional police oversight panel last week, the panel adopted a resolution of no confidence in him.The publication of the report by Alexis Jay prompted repeated calls for Mr. Wright to resign, including by Prime Minister David Cameron and other senior politicians. After Mr. Wright appeared before the South Yorkshire regional police oversight panel last week, the panel adopted a resolution of no confidence in him.
In a statement, Mr. Wright said he was stepping down because the debate over his role was “detracting from the important issue” of providing support for the victims and tackling child sexual exploitation.In a statement, Mr. Wright said he was stepping down because the debate over his role was “detracting from the important issue” of providing support for the victims and tackling child sexual exploitation.
On learning of Mr. Wright’s resignation, Home Secretary Theresa May said: “It is right that where people failed in their duty, they should take responsibility. Police and crime commissioners are accountable to their local electorate.”On learning of Mr. Wright’s resignation, Home Secretary Theresa May said: “It is right that where people failed in their duty, they should take responsibility. Police and crime commissioners are accountable to their local electorate.”