Grooming gangs inquiry widens to cover Birmingham and Wales in expanded child sexual abuse probe

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026.

The statutory inquiry into grooming gangs is to extend its targeted investigations to Birmingham and Wales, confirming them as the next locations in its nationwide probe into child sexual abuse. The inquiry is carrying out area-by-area local investigations across England and Wales as part of its broader statutory remit.

Birmingham and Wales join a widening list of areas being scrutinised under the statutory child sexual abuse inquiry.

The expansion signals the inquiry is accelerating its reach beyond its initial focal points across England.