The release of Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of a notorious child sex grooming gang in Rochdale, has sparked concerns among local residents and victims of the gang's crimes. Ahmed is set to be released from prison on July 2, after serving a 19-year sentence.
According to documents published online, Ahmed will be released on licence with strict conditions, including an exclusion zone centred on Rochdale, where he must initially live at accommodation staffed 24 hours a day. He will also be subject to an electronic tag and strict curfews.
Victims of the gang, including Ruby, have expressed concerns about Ahmed's release, citing the psychological toll it has taken on their lives. "The main ringleader is getting out of prison, who is well known in Rochdale, Oldham and Middleton, so even if he's not in that area, he still knows people and has a chance to talk to people from that area and that makes me unsafe," Ruby said.
The failure to deport Ahmed, who arrived in the UK before 1973 and has lived in the country for at least five years, has caused deep anger in many communities. Ahmed had worked as a taxi driver and benefits rights worker, and was also employed by Oldham Council, raising questions about how he was able to carry out his crimes while holding positions of trust.
Neil Emmott, the leader of Rochdale council, has expressed his concerns about Ahmed's release, saying he hopes he will not be allowed into the borough and that he will be sent back to prison if he is seen. Ahmed's case follows a similar legal battle by two other gang members, who were stripped of their British citizenship in 2022.
The Home Office has stated that Ahmed will be on the sex offenders register for life, ordered to stay away from his victims and banned from contacting any child or young person. His every movement will be tracked, and he will be forced to wear an electronic tag. Should he breach his conditions, he will be immediately locked up.
A national inquiry into grooming gangs earlier this year found that police and local authorities had failed to act despite multiple concerns being raised, citing "serious multiple failures". The report highlighted the need for a change in the law to get grooming gang members deported.
