Andy Burnham responds to IOPC investigation into three GMP officers involvement in Operation Augusta

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation into the actions of three former Greater Manchester Police officers and their involvement in Operation Augusta.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“When I commissioned the independent review into child sexual exploitation, I wanted to send the clearest of messages to victims that supporting them is my top priority and that I won’t let the passage of time nor any other consideration be used as an excuse for not giving them the truth, justice and accountability that they deserve.

“Given the seriousness of the issues revealed by the review into Operation Augusta, it is important that they are properly investigated and that is why I welcome this decision by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It is only through robust, impartial investigation that we can truly establish what happened at the time and ensure any mistakes are not repeated.

“Since 2005, there have been undoubted improvements in the investigation of child sexual abuse, not least in Greater Manchester. But we must never be complacent. There is more that we need to do to right the wrongs of the past and improve how we support people going forward. In Greater Manchester, we must have a zero tolerance approach to child sexual exploitation of any kind and an absolute determination to root it out wherever it is found.”

​

Article Published: 13/08/2020 16:03 PM