Met apologises for 'shocking' failure to protect vulnerable children from sexual exploitation
A senior Scotland Yard officer apologised for her force’s “shocking” failing to adequately protect vulnerable youngsters from sexual exploitation and recruitment by drug gangs.
A report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services found police were often simply waiting for missing children to turn up - despite evidence they are at risk or taking too long to begin investigations into their fate.
It said Metropolitan Police officers and staff were also using “victim-blaming language” and exposing them to danger by failing to take opportunities to identify suspects and disrupt their activities.
In findings published on said the Met lacked understanding of the “nature and scale of child exploitation” which was a “significant barrier” to being able to address the problem.
