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Two Huddersfield Sikh temples have united in their condemnation of the Huddersfield grooming gang - and in particular, members who described themselves as Sikhs.

Guru Nanak Gurdwara and Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara released a statement saying the community had been 'shocked to the core' at the news some of its members were involved.

The statement says: "Our community finds this criminal activity repulsive and abhorrent, and completely at odds with the Sikh faith, beliefs and values. Our first thoughts at this time are with the victims who have been through a terrible experience.

"In spite of their claims, the perpetrators of these heinous crimes have no faith or religion. If they had a religion or faith, and lived by the values of their faith, they would not have committed these cruel acts on their young victims.

"We believe that one of the ring leaders claims to be Sikh. However Amere Singh Dhaliwal is believed to have become a fully-fledged Sikh after he was charged for the crimes he has committed.

"The whole of the Sikh community is united against the disgusting crimes committed by this group of criminals.

"This kind of crime has no place in the Sikh community or in any community, and where we become aware of it we will do all we can to help police bring the perpetrators to justice.

"We should now provide support to the victims of these crimes so they can fully recover.

"We hope that the sentences given to these criminals will give them some sort of closure."