Burnham orders review of grooming gang early releases

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ordered an urgent review to determine if any grooming gang members may be eligible for early release from prison under the government's early release scheme. This comes after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch raised concerns about child sex offenders potentially being released before completing their sentences. Badenoch pointed out that indecent assault was not listed as an offense excluded from the early release scheme, leading to the review of specific cases.

Five men convicted of indecent assault, part of a historical grooming-gang case in Bradford, are among prisoners whose offenses were not excluded. The Prime Minister's spokesperson confirmed that Burnham has personally intervened to ensure grooming cases are identified and dealt with appropriately. The review's primary goal is to identify offenders who might be released early, though it remains unclear if this will prevent any early releases of grooming-related crimes.

The government plans to release approximately 5,000 offenders in England and Wales early to alleviate overcrowding. Burnham initiated a review of the scheme upon becoming Prime Minister. However, Badenoch criticized this move, labeling it a "betrayal of victims," particularly highlighting that many child sex abuse cases from before 2004 were charged as indecent assault, including cases in Rotherham and Rochdale.