Fact Check: Operation Lytton, an investigation into non-recent child sexual exploitation in Rochdale, has resulted in 37 individuals being charged since its inception in 2015.

Fact Check: "Operation Lytton, an investigation into non-recent child sexual exploitation in Rochdale, has resulted in 37 individuals being charged since its inception in 2015."

What We Know

Operation Lytton is part of a series of investigations into non-recent child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. A recent review published on January 15, 2024, detailed the findings of an independent assurance review into historic CSE in Rochdale, which highlighted the failures of statutory agencies to respond to allegations of exploitation from 2004 to 2012 (source-1).

The review noted that since the inception of Operation Lytton, a total of 30 men were convicted across multiple operations, including Lytton, Routh, and Doublet, but it did not specify that 37 individuals were charged under Operation Lytton specifically (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that "37 individuals have been charged" under Operation Lytton appears to be an overstatement. The independent review indicates that while there have been significant convictions resulting from investigations into CSE in Rochdale, the specific number of individuals charged under Operation Lytton alone does not match the claim. The review states that 30 men were convicted in total from the three major operations, which include Lytton, but does not provide a breakdown that supports the figure of 37 charges specifically attributed to Lytton (source-1, source-2).

Furthermore, the credibility of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they stem from official reports and statements from Greater Manchester Police and independent reviews conducted by experts in child protection (source-1, source-3). However, the lack of specificity regarding the number of charges directly linked to Operation Lytton raises questions about the accuracy of the claim.

Conclusion

The claim that "Operation Lytton has resulted in 37 individuals being charged since its inception in 2015" is Partially True. While it is true that significant investigations into child sexual exploitation have taken place, and many individuals have been convicted, the specific figure of 37 charges attributed to Operation Lytton is not supported by the available evidence. The total number of convictions across related operations is 30, indicating a discrepancy in the claim.

Sources

1. Review published into Operation Span and non-recent child sexual ...
2. PDF Outcomes of investigations into non-recent multi-victim multi-offender ...
3. Statement from the Deputy Mayor on the convictions ...
4. operation-span-report-january-2024-v3.pdf
5. Grooming gang guilty of raping and abusing girls
6. Rochdale child sex abuse ring
7. Five men convicted of non-recent child sexual exploitation in Rochdale ...
8. Seven men convicted of sexual exploitation of two teenage ...