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BIRMINGHAM is facing a ‘tsunami of child sexual exploitation’ with reports that gang members are using TASERS on schoolgirl rape victims, a councillor claims.

Des Flood backed fears that schools and parents are being kept in the dark about the full dangers their children face from predatory paedophiles in the south of the city.

The Birmingham Mail revealed earlier this week how one suspected gang member was arrested for three schoolgirl rapes, but bailed each time.

Councillor Flood criticised Birmingham City Council’s handling of child sexual exploitation during a full council meeting last week

He had directed his statement to former Lord Mayor Carl Rice, who has just been handed Cabinet responsibility for children, schools and families.

“I am worried there is a tsunami of child sexual exploitation waiting to explode across this city,” said the Conservative councillor, who represents the Bartley Green ward.

“Young people, especially girls, are being sexually exploited on a daily basis. Some of this sexual exploitation is clearly linked to gangs.

“Schools are a vital part of our eyes and ears in the local community, on the ground, to identify vulnerable young people, especially in terms of concerns about child sexual exploitation.

“I know of cases whereby local schools in our community have done their duty and referred serious cases of child sexual exploitation about pupils to children’s services.

"But these schools nor their parents and carers have been invited to multi-agency child sexual exploitation meetings.”

He told Councillor Rice that the situation was a ‘disgrace’ and added: “Can you please ensure that no further child sexual exploitation meetings take place in this city which involve school pupils without the schools and, indeed, parents and carers invited to be an equal partner at the table?

“I still believe there is a serious failing in sharing information amongst agencies, especially with regards to children’s services."

Previous Birmingham Mail investigations have revealed how suspected gang members had allegedly filmed child sex attacks on their phones.

Councillor Flood told the meeting he had heard from residents other appalling claims which had never been included in official children’s services reports.

“I know of reports where residents have reported that young girls have been tasered and gang-raped,” he said.

“This information appears to have been diluted and not shared in reports.

“I know of one young girl who has had three social workers within the space of two months, two within the same month.

“I believe there are serious gaps that need to be closed, that vulnerable young people in this city, especially girls, are falling through the gaps.

“Is there an institutionalised attitude in children’s services to keep a lid on sharing information and therefore diluting the seriousness of child sexual exploitation against vulnerable children in our city?

”Newly appointed children, schools and families chief Councillor Rice responded that he had only been in post “half an hour” but pledged to take up the issue raised “to ensure that everybody who has a role in tackling CSE is heard loud and clear.”

He denied, however, that parents and schools were being kept in the dark about CSE.

“I strongly suggest that no-one working in the city council, especially children’s services, will deny any information that will lead to the prevention and prosecution of those evil characters who prey on vulnerable young people,” he said.

“If we are going to effectively work to tackle not just child sexual exploitation in this great city, particularly amongst the most vulnerable, the city council alone cannot hope to tackle a city of a million people.

"Partnership work is what has brought children’s services back from the brink of special measures.

“Schools, police, all agencies have a role in ensuring the safety of this city’s most vulnerable.”

Earlier this week, the Birmingham Mail reported how Councillor Debbie Clancy, Conservative lead for a Family Friendly City, accused the authority of ‘refusing’ to alert parents to the menace of gang members involved in CSE.

“I am horrified that schools and the council are not passing any information that could help protect children on to parents,” she said.

“If this information can help save just one extra child from the horrors of CSE then we have a moral duty to ensure parents are informed.”

The Mail told earlier this year how three new gangs had emerged in the south of the city – the Frankley Killers and the 247365 and 61 groups.

A gangs drugs war has contributed to a rise in gun and knife crime, leaving some communities terrorised.

The city council and West Midlands Police have been tackling child sexual exploitation, including the targeting suspected offenders and multi-agency awareness campaigns.

But hundreds of vulnerable children are still officially at risk of CSE in the city and across the West Midlands.

When the Birmingham Mail contacted Councillor Flood for comment, he said: “As a parent and a grandparent, I expect the best service and support for my children. Children's Services need to treat and support children as if they were their own children.

"They need to ask themselves, if they were the parent or carer, what service would they expect to receive for their child?



"Children's services should practise what they preach - and 'do with, not to'children and their families."

WHAT THE COUNCIL SAID: CLLR RICE STATEMENT

Cllr Carl Rice, cabinet member for children, families and schools: “This city council has zero tolerance of child sexual exploitation. We are doing a huge amount of work with partners to tackle this crime and to raise awareness among young people and families about how to spot the signs of exploitation and abuse.

“While I understand this is a very emotive issue and we all want to help in whatever way we can, everything we do must always be in the best interests of our children. This often means that the best thing to do is work in a targeted way, supporting individual children and families, rather than issue ‘general warnings’.

“Along with colleagues at West Midlands Police, we are aware of the concerns about gangs, sexual assaults and the potential link to CSE in South Birmingham and as a partnership we have been actively working together to safely address these.

“This will of course raise anxieties for parents, so there is a need to handle the situation sensitively. The decision has been taken not to issue a ‘general warning’ to parents but rather to support agencies through their designated safeguarding leads working with those individual children effected.

“We have via the Education Safeguarding Team ensured there is a coordinated, clear procedure for dealing with any enquiries from parents. This is in an attempt to ensure there is a consistent response across the schools in the area.

“In the south of the city there has been evidence of emerging gang activity, where sadly allegations of sexual exploitation of younger children by older children have been a feature.

“Together with the police, we have jointly investigated and responded to each child where a disclosure or allegation has been made. All the agencies working with vulnerable children have been tasked to support as appropriate the children involved.

“As more information comes to light so children’s social care, education and police will continue to work together to ensure that the needs of children who may be at risk of exploitation through CSE or gang affiliation are being safeguarded.

“Currently there are a number of police investigations open in response to these concerns. We have held a number of complex strategy meetings (as we always do in these situations) around this situation and will continue to work with our partners to agree strategies to disrupt, apprehend and support the children involved. The progress and outcome of these investigations is always incorporated into the planning for the children. As police investigations are ongoing, some of the measures being taken to disrupt activity, including possible legal action, remain confidential.

“For all schools, the safeguarding briefings and conferences provide current information and hands-on support for Designated Safeguarding Leads (including how to manage sexting).”