Nine Asian men held in child sex grooming case

LONDON - Nine Asian men have been arrested in Britain on suspicion of being involved in grooming white teenage girls for sex, Sky News reported Tuesday.

The suspects - aged between 20 and 40 years of age - are from Rochdale and Heywood in Greater Manchester.

They are being investigated over claims that they groomed teenage white girls for sex.

All the arrested have, however, been released on bail pending further inquiries.

The men were reportedly held under the charges of being involved in inciting child prostitution, sexual activity with a child under 16 and paying for the sexual services of a child.

Though the arrests were made last month, they were made public recently. The arrests were part of a police investigation into sexual exploitation of teenage girls by men since 2008.

Up to 14 girls - aged between 13 and 15 - alleged that they were given drugs and alcohol by the group before being taken to different places for sex.

Rochdale divisional commander, Chief Superintendent John O’Hare said: “This is an extremely complex investigation and the welfare of the victims is absolutely paramount.”

O’Hare also asked parents and carers to be vigilant, saying child exploitation is something they “should be aware of”.

“Parents and carers should talk to their children, take an interest in what they are doing and warn them not to go off with strangers,” he said.