Oxford grooming-gang survivors say many abusers remain at large

Three former victims of the Oxford grooming gang have spoken publicly about still encountering men who abused them, often in ordinary settings like supermarkets and restaurants. Sarah, who was drugged and sexually exploited from age 11, helped secure convictions for three men in 2020, but believes the sentences are far too short. Chloe and Rachel, both abused as teenagers, also report seeing alleged perpetrators in their neighbourhoods and note that police initially dismissed their reports.

Former senior detective Simon Morton, who headed the early investigation, admits the force failed to grasp the scale of the abuse and suspects many more offenders remain unidentified. Thames Valley Police asserts it is still investigating the crimes and urges survivors to report any information. The case adds to a broader pattern of grooming gangs across several English towns, prompting a national inquiry into systemic failures.