West Yorkshire Police have arrested 19 men in connection with historic child sexual abuse offences. The arrests took place last month at several addresses in Kirklees, Calderdale, Bradford and outside the force area.
According to police, the charges include rape, sexual assault and human trafficking. Five women claim that they were raped, trafficked and abused as children between 2000 and 2009 with most offences believed to have occurred in the Kirklees area.
All suspects have been interviewed and either released on bail or remain under investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Rob Stevens, who is leading the case, described the alleged crimes as “abhorrent and heinous,” adding that safeguarding children and pursuing justice for victims remain a top priority for the force.
