Met Police Reopen 9,000 London Grooming Gang Cases Amid Mayoral Denial

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has revealed in a letter to London Mayor Sadiq Khan that the police force will be reassessing approximately 9,000 potential grooming gang cases, exposing a significant scale of child sexual exploitation in London. This announcement contradicts Mayor Khan's previous denials of grooming gang activity in the capital. The letter emphasizes that victims have often been disbelieved or judged, and highlights the limited number of officers with the necessary skills to handle these complex investigations. The Metropolitan Police has made improvements, including training for thousands of officers and expanding child exploitation teams, leading to a rise in solved cases. Both the Commissioner and Assembly Members stress the urgent need for honest acknowledgement and transparent action to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice. This development follows investigative reporting that uncovered overlooked cases and has intensified scrutiny of how authorities have historically addressed grooming gang offenses in London.