FOI 1135-25 Group-based CSE and Investigating Team Info

Request to Northamptonshire Police

I would like to request under the Freedom of Information act, information held by you on group-based child sexual exploitation.

Question 1 - In particular, I would like to know what definition, if any, you use to identify group-based child sexual exploitation.

Question 2 - Have you a dedicated team investigating group-based child sexual exploitation? If so, how many officers, by rank, are involved in this team?

Question 3 - If there is no dedicated team, how do you investigate allegations of group-based child sexual exploitation?

Question 4 - I would like to know how many investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation you have carried out since 2000. I would like this figure broken down by year, if possible.

Question 5 - I would also like to know the number of suspects arrested as part of these investigations and the number subsequently charged. If possible I would like a breakdown of the age, sex and ethnicity of those arrested and charged.

Question 6 - I would also like to know the number of people convicted, again with a breakdown of the age, sex and ethnicity of those convicted.

Response

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide you with the information requested because it is not held in an easily retrievable format. In order to establish if the child sexual exploitation (CSE) was group-based, our analysts would be required to manually review a minimum of 6479 records created since 2016, when our current recording system was introduced. This would exceed the appropriate cost limit of £450 which engages an exemption under s12(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act).

Accordingly, please accept this Refusal Notice under s17(1) of the Act.

We always strive to provide the highest level of service that we can with the finite resources at our disposal. However, due to the breadth of information you are requesting, we are unable to offer any advice or assistance as to how we can help you redefine your request to bring it within the cost parameters.

We can advise that Northamptonshire Police has Child Sexual Exploitation team who are able take on investigations in relation to CSE, including group-based CSE. This team is made up of a Detective Sargeant, two Detective Constables and one Investigations Officer / Coordinator, supported by a Criminal Intelligence Analyst.

Please also note, Police Forces do not hold details on convictions – please redirect this part of your enquiry to His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service.