Five retired former GMP officers have been arrested after an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in Manchester in the 1960s
The arrests were made after months of detailed enquiries to identify suspects from allegations made by a woman, who was younger than 16 at the time when the offending began.
Some of the offenders are believed to be officers from a dedicated unit that worked to safeguard sex workers in Manchester at the time – known as the ‘VICE squad’ based at the old Collyhurst police station.
Three of the arrests were made after we executing warrants in Bolton, Bury, and Trafford last month. The other two suspects have this month also been arrested.
The suspects – aged between 73 and 81 – have been questioned on suspicion of sexual offences and misconduct. They are on conditional bail as our enquiries continue.
The victim has been supported by specialist officers and partner agencies and has been updated on today’s action.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “We commend the woman’s courage for coming forward and supporting this investigation. We do not underestimate how difficult it is for her to relive details of this horrendous abuse decades on from the time it was happening.
“I’m sure the public will be as troubled as I am that five former officers are suspected of being involved in the abuse of a woman when she was a vulnerable child and adult who needed their protection.
“No abuser is immune from justice and time is no barrier. The GMP of today is absolutely committed to ensuring victims are listened to and supported, regardless of who’s committed these offences and how long ago it occurred.
“Our investigation will go to all necessary lengths to uncover the full facts of these allegations and to ensure any offenders are rightly brought to justice.”
