Nine Men Arrested as NCA Cracks Down in Operation Stovewood
The National Crime Agency has launched a major blitz with multiple arrests linked to historic abuse in Rotherham. Nine men, aged 36 to 49, were detained between October 7 and 15 on suspicion of rape offences dating from 2003 to 2008. The arrests hit towns including Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster, Blackburn, Wakefield, and County Durham.
More Arrests in Separate Abuse Probes
In a second probe focused on abuse from 2007 to 2009 involving two victims, five men aged 29 to 62 were arrested—all within Rotherham. Three were picked up on October 13, with two more following on October 15.
Meanwhile, a 51-year-old man was arrested in Conisbrough last Saturday (October 10) over serious sexual offences against a teenage girl in 2008. All suspects have been questioned and released, but investigations are ongoing.
Operation Stovewood Speaks Out
NCA regional head Rob Burgess said: “We’ve now questioned more than 190 people as part of Operation Stovewood. In the past two weeks, we’ve also worked with police and local authorities to safeguard around 40 children. This vital work often goes unheralded.
“We remain determined to bring offenders to justice. We urge victims and witnesses to come forward. Our investigation is victim-focused, and we will support anyone with information on child sexual abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.”
