GMP Criticised Over Child Abuse

Greater Mancheste Police are facing more criticisim over their handling of child sex abuse cases. The police watchdog says officers are taking too long to analyse computers.

The force has 563 member of staff responsible for dealing with public protection which includes cases involving children.

But inspectors found there were 174 cases were waiting to analysed by specialist officers - three quarters involved children and some of them dated back to November last year.

In one case, it took six months to provide a report on a computer belonging to a known sex offender.

The report says delays can have a damaging effect on the welfare of the child.

Despite that inspectors praised staff for being knowledgeable, skilled and dedicated but found they were under extreme pressure and were working long hours.

GMP were criticised in a serious case review in 2013 for failing girls who were passed around for sex by Rochdale grooming gangs.

In a statement the force say they've made significant improvements when it comes to child protection - including better training for frontline officers.

They say they recognise the delays in investigating some cases and understand the distress it can cause victims.

The force says they're now working with the High Tech Crime unit and the Crown Prosecution service to speed the process up.