Andy Burnham orders review of grooming gang early releases

PM orders urgent review after fears grooming gang offenders could be freed early

The move follows criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who argued that loopholes in the policy could allow offenders to benefit from the scheme.

The government recently confirmed that people convicted of rape, serious child sex offences and grooming offences will no longer be eligible for early release from October. 

However, questions have been raised over historic convictions for indecent assault under the Sexual Offences Act 1956, which are not included on the current list of excluded offences.

That omission has prompted concerns that some offenders involved in historic child sexual abuse cases could still be released early.

According to Downing Street, Burnham has instructed the Ministry of Justice to carry out an "urgent" review.

This has been set to identify any grooming-related cases that may have been missed. 

A spokesperson said the prime minister had personally intervened because it was ‘extremely important’ that offenders were treated in the way victims deserve.

At this stage, the review is only intended to identify affected prisoners. 

The government has yet to confirm whether anyone found to be eligible will ultimately be prevented from early release.

Badenoch has claimed the intervention amounts to ‘another U-turn’, accusing the government of failing to deliver on its promise to exclude grooming offenders. 

She also urged ministers to publish the full list of offences that remain eligible under the scheme.

She argues that many child sexual abuse cases before 2004 were prosecuted as indecent assault rather than under newer legislation.

The issue has put renewed focus on prison overcrowding, which ministers say is driving the need for early releases. 

Around 5,000 prisoners are expected to be released in stages from October in a bid to ease pressure on prisons across England and Wales, which are currently operating at around 97% of usable capacity.

The phased rollout will begin with prisoners serving sentences of fewer than 575 days before gradually expanding to longer-term inmates, with the final stage scheduled for June 2027.

The controversy has also affected other victims' families. The mother of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed while responding to a quad bike theft in 2019.

She said she was "devastated" after learning that two men jailed over her son's death could also qualify for early release.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris has apologised to families impacted by the policy, saying they were "carrying the can" for years of pressure on the prison system.