Fact Check: The police investigation into the grooming gang, known as Operation Lytton, has been ongoing since 2015.

Fact Check: "The police investigation into the grooming gang, known as Operation Lytton, has been ongoing since 2015."

What We Know

The claim that the police investigation known as Operation Lytton has been ongoing since 2015 is supported by multiple sources. According to the Operation Span Report, the investigation into organized crime related to child sexual exploitation in Rochdale began in 2015. The report outlines the evolution of the investigation and its connection to previous incidents of child exploitation in the area, highlighting the long-standing issues that prompted the investigation.

Furthermore, the Fighting Child Sexual Exploitation document indicates that Greater Manchester Police have been actively addressing child sexual exploitation since the early 2000s, with Operation Lytton specifically being a response to the ongoing issues identified in Rochdale. This context reinforces the timeline of the investigation starting in 2015.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, primarily drawn from official reports and credible news sources. The Operation Span Report is a formal document published by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which lends it a high degree of reliability. It provides a comprehensive overview of the investigation and its historical context, confirming that Operation Lytton was initiated in 2015.

Additionally, the Fighting Child Sexual Exploitation document further corroborates the timeline and the police's ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation in Rochdale. The sources used are from reputable organizations and government bodies, making them reliable for understanding the context and details of the investigation.

Contradictory information is not present in the sources reviewed, as they all align in acknowledging the start of the investigation in 2015 and its continuation. Therefore, the claim stands strong against scrutiny.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the police investigation into the grooming gang, known as Operation Lytton, has been ongoing since 2015 is accurate. The evidence from credible reports and official documents confirms the timeline and the nature of the investigation, supporting the assertion without contradiction.

Sources

1. Operation Span Report - January 2024
2. Fighting Child Sexual Exploitation, Keeping Vulnerable ...
3. Rochdale Child Sex Abuse Ring - Wikipedia
4. Eleven Men Charged in Rochdale Grooming Investigation - BBC
5. Men Who Groomed Girls for Sex in Rochdale Brought to Justice - GMP
6. Seven Men Convicted of Sexual Exploitation of Two Teenage Girls - Irvine Times
7. A History of Trauma, A History of Failure - Manchester Evening News
8. Five Men Convicted of Non-Recent Child Sexual Exploitation - GMP