The survivors of sexual exploitation in Roderham have “no confidence” in the police force, investigating the allegations that their own officials participated in abuse in the city, according to the Solicitor.
Police Watchdog has said that there is no conflict of interests around the South Yorkshire Police (SYP), which the victims of the Roderham Abuse scandal said they were abused by the misbehavior officers.
Five women have told the BBC how gangs were prepared and exploited in the city when they were children and sexually abused by the authorities.
According to a special BBC report, a girl was raped in a marked police car at the age of 12 and the officer threatened to hand over her back to the groom if she did not do as she said.
SYP is interrogating the police conduct (IOPC) under the direction of the independent office.
So far, three former officials working for the force have been arrested.
Law firm Switultkis, who represents the survivors of the misconduct in Roderham, said that it was hoped that the alleged misconduct by the authorities would have revealed after the operation linden-a long running, the IOPC probe, how did the IOPC probe respond to the sexual abuse between 1997 and 2013.
The firm said in a statement: “It never came. SYP opposed our requests to investigate the alleged criminals of police officers for years, despite that we should provide them the accounts of the survivors.
“Those who are facing misconduct in Roderham, have no confidence that the SYP will work perfectly to investigate the alleged misconduct by its authorities.
“In addition, behaving with SYP is retrient for them. Many of our customers refuse to report crimes to SYP because they do not think they would be believed and because they were treated so badly in the past.
“This investigation should be handed over to an independent police force to ensure that the remaining people feel enough confident to come forward.
“The accounts we have heard, which we hope is that there is only a fraction of the full scale of misuse, completely disturbed.”
According to the BBC report, Professor Alexis J led an independent report in sexual abuse at Roderham, “Surprised” was that the SIP was investigating its former officials and felt another organization should lead.
A spokesperson of the IOPC said: “We know about complaints from the victim-owners for the first time, who are related to allegations of child sexual abuse associated with former SYP officials, when we received a referral from SYP in October 2024 and directed the force to conduct an inquiry under our direction and control.
“This means that IOPC is responsible for investigation and all major decisions.
“Since the investigation began, three former SYP officers have been arrested.”
He said: “We have been in touch with Solicitor, who are telling about some more reports about the victim-some reports to investigate any new complaint.
“We want the victim-person to feel confident that all complaints will be considered very seriously and sensitively. We encourage any victim-partner or any witness to come forward if they have not already done so.”
The spokesperson said: “We were assured by force that none of the investigating officers had worked with any former officers under the investigation or were investigated as part of OP Linden.
“We are satisfied that there is no conflict of interests, but, of course, we keep these cases under a regular directed investigation during a review.”
SYP assistant head constable Hele Barnet said that a dedicated team of officers was working on continuous inquiry.
He said: “We know how difficult it should be for the victim or survivor, which has been so badly disappointed in the past, to have their faith in the South Yorkshire police today.
“We honor that belief with extreme respect and care.
“The victims and the remaining people remain in the heart of this investigation and all our works are continued in their best interests.”
Ms. Barnet said that the force is also working with Operation Stovewood – a huge investigation by the National Crime Agency of Child Sexual Abuse in Roderham between 1997 and 2013.
He said that it “helps us to ensure that we leave no stone unturned”.
In 2022, Operation Linden concluded that SIP basically failed to protect weak children and youth during the period during the investigation.
Operation Stovewood has identified more than 1,100 children involved in exploitation at Roderham.