Telford MP's praise for child sexual grooming investigation

Ms Allan said the plans by Home Secretary Sajid Javid to discover how such gangs operate were a "step in the right direction".

Mr Javid said he wanted to “establish the particular characteristics and contexts associated with this type of offending”, adding that officials were looking into the characteristics of offenders, victims and the wider context of abuse.

He added that understanding more about gang networks would “support a more targeted response by the police and other agencies”.

“If there is a need for further research, we will take it forward,” he said.

Mr Javid was responding to Labour MP for Rotherham Sarah Champion, who said it was a big win in preventing gang grooming.

Ms Allan said: "Well done Sarah Champion and thank you Sajid Javid for listening."

In a statement The Home Office said: “The government has always been clear that child sexual exploitation is not exclusive to any single culture, community, race or religion, but political or cultural sensitivities must not get in the way of preventing and covering child abuse.

“Offending involving grooming by organised networks is a complex issue and the government is fully committed to taking the steps necessary to improving our understanding of how this heinous crime can best be prevented.”

Ms Champion is the chairwoman of a cross-party working group of MPs who represent constituencies affected by grooming and child sexual exploitation. Its members represent towns including Telford, Rotherham, Rochdale, Oxford, Blackpool, Keighley, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Middlesbrough and Newcastle upon Tyne.

In May they told Mr Javid that they were alarmed by the similarities in cases across the country and called for research into common patterns of behaviour in cases of gang-related child sexual exploitation.

Earlier this year Ms Allan called for a reform to the sexual offences laws to better protect youngsters in the town.

“We have come a long way in relation to this crime, but it must now be considered if the law is protecting young people," she said

“We can’t keep wringing our hands and saying as each case comes to light how horrific it is.

“If the law does not protect our children, then we must update the law.

“The full picture can only be given by listening to the voices of the victims.”