We've not even scratched surface of rape gangs in Bradford yet..

THE biggest grooming gang scandal is yet to be exposed according to one legal expert, who claims child sexual abuse in the UK's new city of culture is "bigger than Rotherham".

- Paul Jeeves

David Greenwood has represented hundreds of victims of rape gangs operating across South and West Yorkshire, and has helped bring dozens of offenders to justice.

But the lawyer says the full extent of sex gangs operating in Bradford remains covered up with council chiefs refusing to launch a probe.

While high-profile cases have been through the West Yorkshire city's courts, Mr Greenwood believes these have not even scratched the surface of how big the problem has been.

He is "optimistic" of progress at last, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper funding locally led inquiries, but worries Bradford's reluctance to shine a light on itself could remain a barrier to uncovering the full horror.

Background

Mr Greenwood said: "I've been trying to persuade Bradford Council to implement a [Professor Alexis] Jay-style enquiry for two years.

Bradford is going to be bigger than Rotherham when it all comes out.

"The police are doing some really great work in the city, and pursuing investigations and prosecutions.

"It's historic stuff - anywhere from mid 1990s to the mid-Noughties. I can't say for certain but...all the cases that I deal with, either Rotherham, Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley...they all have a Bradford connection. The girls were moved to Bradford, in and out of the city, to houses and hotels there.