Report: Child sexual exploitation now a 'social norm' in parts of Greater Manchester

The report suggests child sex abuse may have been fuelled by the increased sexualisation of youngsters (Getty Images)

Sexual exploitation of children has become “normal” in parts of Greater Manchester, according to a report described as “alarming” by Home Secretary Theresa May.

An inquiry, led by MP Ann Coffey, also suggests child sex abuse may have been fuelled by the increased sexualisation of youngsters through explicit music videos and so-called “sexting”, selfies and Instagram.

The independent report from the Labour MP for Stockport was commissioned to see what has changed since the Rochdale case in 2012 when nine Asian men were jailed for grooming girls with alcohol, drugs and gifts before forcing them to have sex with multiple men. Some schoolgirls told Ms Coffey they were regularly approached by men in the street and urged to get into cars with them.

She said: “My observations will make painful reading for those who hoped that Rochdale was an isolated case. This is a real and ongoing problem. I have been concerned about the number of people who have told me that in some neighbourhoods child sexual exploitation had become the new social norm.”