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The full extent of alleged sexual exploitation against women and young girls in Newcastle “will turn your stomach”, the leader of Newcastle City Council has said.

Describing the ongoing police investigation Operation Sanctuary as one of the “most challenging” things the local authority has ever had to deal with, Nick Forbes said a briefing he has had with police about the investigation had been truly shocking.

He said: “I know when we see court cases later this year, people will be deeply horrified at what is alleged.

“Let’s not wait years to use our powers within the city council to make sure that this kind of thing never happens again in the city.”

Operation Sanctuary is Northumbria Police’s investigation into allegations of a series of sexual offences against women and teenage girls in Newcastle.

Twenty men were charged with a range of offences and will face further hearings at Newcastle Crown Court later this year.

Coun Forbes said that in his latest briefing with police officers about the allegations suggested that the investigation is one of the most serious issues he will ever deal with as leader of the city.

Referring to similar investigations taking place across the country, he said that while local authorities had a role to ensure vulnerable women are safe, it is not their responsibility alone.

Operation Sanctuary press conference

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He said: “It’s essential that victims are taken seriously and listened to, treated with respect and it’s shameful that in so many cases, this has not been the case.

“But it’s not just an issue for local Government but for partners in the health service too.

“While Rotherham has had some extremely difficult times, I think there are still questions for South Yorkshire police.

“It’s not just the responsibility of the local authority. It’s the responsibility of all partners to work together for a long-term solution to ensure that these kind of problems do not happen again.”

He said the council here in Newcastle would assist in rooting out perpetrators of crimes.

He added: “One of the saddest things in child exploitation cases is the number of young women that have been exploited to see themselves as victims.”

A report released by the council, Safe Newcastle Plan 2015-2018, recognises that there have been increases in reporting of domestic and sexual violence cases, including issues of forced marriage and honour-based violence in the city.

Newcastle City Council agreed to extend training on safeguarding to all its councillors at a full meeting of city council on Thursday.

Some of the alleged victims who have made claims as part of Operation Sanctuary were in local authority care.