Police in Greater Manchester are investigating 49 child sexual exploitation cases involving multiple suspects and victims – on top of new ‘top priority’ operation

From the Manchester Evening News and also here

Police in Greater Manchester are investigating 49 child sexual exploitation cases involving multiple suspects and victims. Some 271 victims are being supported and more than 300 suspects assessed. That is in addition to cases being probed as part of Operation Greenjacket, launched in May 2019, aimed at investigating child exploitation in 2014/15. There are more probes into cases involving single suspects and victims.

The force was strongly criticised after a grooming investigation, prompted by the death of Victoria Agoglia, 15, was closed down in July 2005. Victoria, who was in the care of Manchester council, died after being injected with heroin. Operation Augusta was wound down, despite police and other agencies amassing colossal evidence against the alleged perpetrators.

Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain, who is leading Operation Greenjacket, said there has been a sea change in the force’s approach. The investigation involves revisting original victims identified during Operation Augusta and new ones found as a result of fresh inquiries. A damning official report published in January 2020, revealed how children were raped and abused by up to 100 members of a Manchester grooming gang. Despite police and social workers knowing what was happening, they weren’t stopped.

ACC Hussain spoke after members of his team arrested a man in his 40s, who works as a support worker in children’s social care, on suspicion of sexual activity with a child when in a position of trust; and misconduct in public office.

On Thursday, April 30, a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a child when in a position of trust, and misconduct in a public office. The man in question is employed by Manchester City Council’s Children Social Care.

He has been bailed pending further inquiries and suspended from his duties. 

So the possibilility is that not only was he one of those who knew but did not/would not act to stop the abuse, he actively joined in. If he is charged his name might be released and we will know more.  We know from the report, and other statements that 
Abusers were allowed to freely pick up and have sex with Victoria and other children from city care homes, ‘in plain sight’ of officials.

The arrest is not linked to the case of Victoria Agoglia. The man who injected her was later convicted and jailed.

Note this report from the Manchester Evening News of his conviction from 2007.  Mohammed Yaqoob, 51, was acquitted of manslaughter. The court accepted a plea to the lesser offence of administering a noxious substance and he was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment. At that time the authorities were still emphasising that Vicky (aka Byrne, her stepfather’s surname) 
…had developed a drink and drug habit and turned to prostitution.