17/09/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

Those are the words of a children's home worker, who says

staff knew grooming in the city was a big problem but couldn?t stop it.

It was endemic. It was absolutely endemic

throughout. We'll have more of that exclusive

interview in just a moment. Also tonight, the scourge

of fly`tipping The company which says it's such a problem

in Bradford, it's leaving the city. And join us live on the banks as we

find out why more people ard taking up the sport of rowing.

It has been a disappointingly cloudy day today and workload tomorrow but

a better chance of seeing some afternoon eight rix. The five

forecast follows shortly. First tonight, the sexual abuse

of children was endemic not just in Rotherham, but also in Sheffield,

according to a care worker In an exclusive interview whth

Look North, Ruth, not her rdal name, says girls were passed around

groups of Asian men and trafficked She says staff knew about it

but couldn't stop it. In a moment, we'll investig`te

whether this is still happening These are the Memorial ground is in

Sheffield. Ruth hasn't been here for a decade. The last time she came

here was to rescue a missing 13`year`old in her care.

We were telephoned by the mdn who had taken her to explain whx we

could find her and she had been raped. She was in a real bad state.

I took her to casualty. She was examined and put back together. Even

though there was physical evidence, nothing was done or could bd done

because she would not press charges. Ruth says it was the worst hncident

she dealt with were working in the care home between 2002 and 2004 but

it was far from isolated. In the unit I worked on, we had fotr girls

and three of them where involved in the ring of abuse.

They would go out with the one person they trusted and thotght they

were building a relationship with, thought they were in love whth. They

were told how beautiful unddrwear and groomed. Then he would be taken

out of the city to prearranged areas to be used.

She says care workers to trx and protect the girls but were

powerless. You cannot drag them back in, you

cannot force them back in. @ll you can try and do is you want to keep

them `` persuade them you w`nt to keep them safe. Social workdrs would

go out in cars and look for the girls, which put us at great risk.

But we were so desperate and frustrated with the lack of anything

being done for them. Now Ruth is the first whistle blower

to come from here in Sheffidld since the revelations of widespre`d child

abuse in Rotherham. She says not only was it going on here as well

but that the authorities kndw about it.

I think that the police did know about the scale, counsels md about

the scale, social services certainly knew but they were powerless to do

anything about it. It was endemic. The word is endemic. It was

absolutely endemic throughott. You any regrets?

I wish I had said something at the time. But I have hit `` if H had

said at the time it was Asi`n men abusing these girls and it hs

organised. They take them to Leeds, Manchester and it is all taxes and

takeaways, I would have probably been labelled a racist. The whole

system, the system of the l`w, social services and the way the

council dealt with at, I thhnk the whole system failed the girls.

Completely and utterly faildd. A detailed account of abuse in

Sheffield. You have got the Council's response on this.

They say they never ignored the problem and have an open culture.

They are aware of the compl`int we raised but said they did act

correctly. They can't reveal what they did because of data protection

but he said they offered support to the girls. He said they werd only

just beginning to understand the problem of what we now know of as

grooming and that they have improved practices significantly since then.

The police say they take thhs very seriously and want people to come

forward. After the revelations about Rotherham and the 1400 people abuse

there, they said they have opened a widespread investigation into

historical cases of child sdxual exploitation and they will look into

our cases as well as the hundreds of life cases they have.

In Joe's report there were a number of disturbing issuds.

But I spoke to Dr Anne Hollows, a Principal Lecturer in Sochal Work

at Sheffield Hallam Univershty and I asked her just how care workers

can prevent a 15`year`old ghrl from going out if she wants to?

If it was your daughter or ly daughter, you could lock thd door.

If it is a girl in local authority care, although the local authority

is called the corporate pardnt, they can't actually lock thd door,

they can't physically restr`in the girl from leaving.

The only thing they may be `ble to do is, in extreme circumstances

make a placement in a securd unit, but that is very unlikely.

The social worker in that piece with Joe said it was

There were cases, there are cases in Sheffield,

There are cases in Keighley, Bradford, Leeds, Manchester,

It is very widespread, not just in the North of England, thdre has

been a court case in Oxford and there are more in the phpeline.

Is this going to continue, more revelations over the North

I think there will be more revelations.

I think also as people become more willing to

take action and take cases to court, then more cases will come to light.

I think more girls will come forward.

The publication of the Jay Report lead to quite a few women coming

The woman in our report says if she had pressed her point,

That is a valid point she m`kes isn't it?

I think you have to look at the time she was speaking about.

It was just after the Macpherson Report into the dnquiries

about Stephen Lawrence and there was a real worry about instituthonal

racism in making assumptions about different cultures.

I think now services have developed and the liaison whth

different minority communithes has changed considerably.

You only have to look at thd Islamic community in Rotherham as

These girls were failed by so many different bodies within

Are they still under threat, in danger?

I think we are better at talking to people.

We have learned a lot more skills in talking to young people

They don't have a lot of trtst in officials.

They aren't able to distingtish good love

But we are better at that, hn particular in our youth services.

We can learn a great deal from youth services in how to

communicate with troubled young people in these circumstancds.

I think the real answer is we have got to start a lot sooner in

supporting children who can't live at home at a much earlier age and

Doctor Anne Hollows from Sheffield Hallam University.

Just one more piece of news for you about Rotherham Council following

There have been more calls today for the council's director of children's

Meanwhile, an interim successor to Police Commissioner Shaun Wright,

who resigned yesterday over the scandal, will be announced

tomorrow, ahead of a by`election to choose a long term successor.

Food suppliers at a North Yorkshire festival say they're owed thousands

In other news, the number of people who are unemployed

in Yorkshire has fallen sharply for the sixth month in a row.

Figures for the period betwden May and July show there were 203,00

That's 25,000 fewer than the previous quarter.

The regional unemployment r`te is now 7.3%, which is

Adam Pickles from Keighley was left in a coma

after being attacked in an `lleged road rage incident in Thail`nd.

Today Sean Tinsley from Wolverhampton was found not

Adam is slowly recovering at a specialist care home in York.

His parents say they're dis`ppointed with the outcome of the tri`l.

Meanwhile, Thai police investigating the murder of a Leeds University

graduate have stopped two British tourists from leaving the country.

The men who have not been ddtained or arrested are in police c`re

David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were attacked on a beach

Bad weather is hampering the investigation into a helicopter

Two men died after their aircraft plunged into the sea near

Poor visibility is causing problems for investigators trying

On the eve of tomorrow's Scottish independence referendum,

the Scottish flag has been flying over council buildings in York.

The decision to fly it over the Mansion House was taken jointly

by the city's three main political parties to symbolise unity

And on tomorrow's Look North we ll be investigating whether evdnts

in Scotland will mean more powers being devolved from Westminster to

Fly`tippers are forcing a Bradford business out of the city

because the owner says he's ashamed to invite customers in.

The council says it will cldar fly`tipped waste on public land

and take enforcement action wherever possible.

But international logistics firm Bower Green says it?s been based

in Bradford for 61 years, and it?s simply had enough.

You can go to prison for flx`tipping or face a hefty fine. But the people

doing it don't seem to care. A short walk away is our green limited ``

Bower Green. 50 staff work xear They and their clients have to drive

right past the piles of rotting waste.

The owner has had enough. You from my signatory and from a

receptionist. They reported it to or three times a week and yet nothing

is done about it. When we h`ve visitors we have to take thdm

through all these piles of rubbish. It is just not how they want to see

their product being deliverdd and taking care of.

The company now wants to move to a new site in a different part of West

Yorkshire. It is not only unsightly, it is

unsafe. Some of this rubbish is spilling out into the road `nd, as

you can imagine, it smells terrible. This would easily attract r`ts and

flies. The irony as there is a council run to just round the

corner. This waste and recycling centre takes all sorts of household

rubbish, including most of what has been dumped on the streets nearby.

Bradford Council says it is doing its best.

We did take enforcement acthons and prosecutions against people who let

and lighter. We look at particular hotspots and we try to clear it up

as soon as possible. But Ian says that is just not

happening. He says he first went to leave Radford for the same reason 18

years ago and now he wishes he had. `` leave Bradford.

Traders who ran food drink and craft stalls at a North

Yorkshire music festival sax they're owed thousands of pounds after

The Galtres Parklands Festival held at Duncombe Park, near Helmsley

attracted 8000 people who c`me to see The Stranglers, The Hum`n League

It promotes itself as one of the best family festivals in thd country

with tickets being sold for ?95 each. One Saint eight, festhvalgoers

use a cashless electronic sxstem to buy food or other items. Tr`ders are

then supposed to get 80% of every transaction. But they have received

nothing. Traders have been told the company has ceased trading. This man

is owed ?500 and no fears for the future of his business. `` ?350 .

I cannot sustain ?3500 worth of debt. It is really hard.

They say the restructuring hs not in any way a means of not paying

people. Peter Stark is owed ?1600 and he

says he is warning people not to buy tickets for next year's event.

Tickets are on sale on their website now and we would strongly advise

anyone not to purchase thosd tickets cause, as we see it, the festival

will go ahead next year. Their ticket money will be lost

Galtres Parklands Festival said they would have an impact.

Still to come, delving into the past, I'd view of Bradford's

elaborate archive which announced this little star. Any guessds who

make the? Nothing like spontaneous

presentation. Loss of our teams were in action

last night as the football season gets into swing.

Sheffield Wednesday are quidtly enjoying a strong start to

New striker Stevie May showdd quick feet and finishing power to

In the dying minutes, Chris Maguire was meticulous and picking out

Jeremy Helan to ensure Wedndsday are our highest placed team.

Leeds take a battering earlx doors at Bournemouth

But they hung in and in the second half Souleymane

Next a blunderbuster from the boot of Guiseppe Bdllusci.

Then Mirco Antenucci broke free to complete the recovery.

3`1 to Leeds and whoever gets the coach's job takes over ` team

Poetry in motion now as Anthony Wordsworth struck

But Bolton's Joe Mason had the last word as he completed his hat`trick

Huddersfield had keeper Alex Smithies to thank

In League One, it was the Eoin Doyle show.

Chesterfield were dead and buried at 3`0 down to Preston

They were back in it when hd slid in for his second

and took a point when he scored from the spot to complete his second

More drama Colchester were Sheffield United were two

Moments later, a consideratd buildup was rewarded with a tap`in for Ryan

Stefan Scougall was fouled for Davis to win it with a penalty.

The Blades go up to sixth and that is one behind Bradford City

Aaron McLean with the opener and the lead was doubled whdn

Billy Clarke intercepted a poor pass and dished out the punishment.

A bad miss from Nathan Tyson which summed up

In League Two, York are also struggling with

There was lots of talk about legacy following the London 2012 Olympics

and among Team GB's biggest successes were auroras. It seems

that that success has rubbed off on Leeds rowing club. They havd seen a

surge in membership and now have a brand new ?1 million boathotse

opening. Phil has donned his buoyancy aid and is there now.

There is messing about on the river but this is serious stuff. Ht is a

nice evening for rowing. Te`m GB picked up the most medals in 10

years at the London 2012 gales and that has been a catalyst for more

people taking up the sport. Rowing here in Yorkshire is a

rapidly growing sport. In a years they have achieved this. He ?1

million boathouse for Leeds rowing club, complete with changing rooms

and, unsurprisingly, rowing machines.

It has been in the pipeline for five or ten years now and hundreds of

people have been involved in the project. It means there is 300 times

the amount of people we can get on the water. Hopefully we can get more

people through the door and teach them how to rule.

It is wonderfully sheltered and the conditions are ideal for rowing

The club currently has more than 120 members from age 12 three to 81 But

its waiting list is three thmes that what is people interested?

Those moments when the boat packs up and quietly whispers are we under

you and you know you are gohng fast. It is hard to describe but ht is an

unbeatable feeling, definitdly. Getting up in the early hours of the

morning is made easier when you have your friends on the crew. There is

lots of pain as well but good times as well.

The club now has a home for a home for its paws for the next. The

opposite may revive a futurd for the next generation of Olympic rowers.

The crews have been enjoying something of the Regatta thhs

evening and it has been gre`t fun. Let us talk to you world chdck

champion roar. This is Paul Bennett. What was it like?

An incredible experience. You don't expect to end up as world champion

in any sport so to do it in a sport I am really passionate about is

wonderful. You are a local lad and are the

guest of honour here tonight. What do you make of it?

I am so excited to be here. Wonderful facilities. I am not

formally affiliated with thhs club but everyone has been so welcoming

and warm. They have offered me the chance to come back and trahned

here. He is six tall. `` 6`foot tdn inches

tall. Let's have a talk to the base

chairman, David Cotterell. It is a fantastically proud moment.

We are standing at the finest rowing facility in the North of England.

You don't just build somethhng like this, why does the money cole from?

It is a team effort. The money has come from the University of Leeds to

have been fantastically supportive, also from British rowing and sport

England and smaller charitids like Wren. The reverse thrust of let us

use the water. It wouldn't be possible with out all these people.

What is it mean for people wanting to rule? `` tikka rowing?

It means more people can participate.

Congratulations. At the try my hand at rowing earlier but I nearly

capsized vessel so I think H should stick to dry land.

They give very much indeed. I always had fond members of the Alh`mbra

theatre which is celebrating its centenary with a special performance

on Saturday. It has special memories frol me

because I performed there is ten years old.

It was officially opened in March 1914. Some of the biggest stars of

their time have trod the bo`rds here.

There were last to be had off stage as well.

If the comedian had equipment I went on stage to hold his equipmdnt and

that sort of thing. They wotld get a laugh out of me.

Bradford 's Alhambra is most famous for its pantomimes. He started the

tradition of the juvenile than strip known as the Sunbeams. Fast forward

to 1981 and I was stood on this very stage. My sister and cousins had all

been sunbeams and finally it was my turn and what a brilliant experience

it was. Picking people load. The Hyndland

filleting and singing the scales. Mum was a Sunbeam, Jackie w`s a

Sunbeam. We had area herself. Jack and the Beanstalk was the

longest plan to mean `` pantomime ever. It went on to Easter.

For those of the nearest is position, are going to show you what

Amy was like as a Sunbeam. Look at that. Very cute.

Hopefully a little bit bettdr at putting on the make up thesd days.

It took hours to look that good Let's look at some pictures which

came in on the last 24 hours. The new blog details how thd early

part of September has been one of the driest in ST years. Tomorrow,

the headline is a dull start. A better chance of rightness coming

through later. We could reach 2 Celsius. That cloud never btdged all

day long and is currently bdginning to thicken and lower onto the tops

of the hells. Very poor vishbility with mist and fog developing over

higher areas. It will be exceptionally mild which has been a

feature of September. Agree, dull, misty and damp start to

the morning. That should lift and break and in the afternoon but will

have a better chance of seehng some bright and sunny spells,

particularly in eastern are`s. Temperatures are well above average.

And`amid a sea. `` high humhdity. He cold front should change thhngs on

Saturday night and bring in some rain. Sunday will be a good deal

brighter. There should be some sunshine by then.

I bet that brought back somd memories for you, didn't it?

The whole family were into ht. Child performers.

Good night.