Police Arrest Seven Men in Early Morning Raids Over Manchester Grooming Gang Investigation

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) carried out early morning raids on Tuesday, arresting seven men as part of an investigation into child sxxual ab*se that happened almost 20 years ago. The men, aged between 41 and 54, were arrested in Manchester, Stockport, and Wilmslow. They are being questioned about crimes involving a girl who was under 16 at the time.

These arrests are part of Operation Green Jacket, which began in 2019. This investigation started after a report showed that an earlier investigation, Operation Augusta, failed to properly look into s*xual grooming in south Manchester in 2004/05.

Operation Augusta was stopped due to a lack of resources, even though it was launched after the death of Victoria Agoglia, a teenager who suffered abuse and died in 2003. Despite telling social workers she was being hurt, nothing was done to protect her.

The Manchester Evening News was present during one of the raids. Police arrested a man at his home early in the morning. His partner was shocked and upset as officers explained he was being arrested on suspicion of raping a girl under 16. The man went quietly with the police.

Since Operation Green Jacket began, GMP has arrested 64 people, with one man already charged. Detective Inspector Eleanor Humphreys said the police will continue to work hard to bring justice, no matter how much time has passed.

The 2020 report also showed that many other children had been failed by the police and social services, who did not do enough to protect them from abuse. Manchester City Council is helping with the investigation, and Councilor Julie Reid said the council is determined to help bring the offenders to justice and support the victims.