Sexual exploitation of white girls is 'problem in Asian communities', claims prosecutor

Grooming and sexual exploitation of white girls by gangs of men has become “a particular problem in Asian communities” in Britain, a senior prosecutor has claimed.

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England, said the status of women among some Asian men led to cases of white girls being sexually abused.

The comments were made after Mahfuzur Rahman and Abdul Hannan were convicted of raping or sexually assaulting four young women in the region after they were picked up and plied with alcohol.

Following the case, Mr Afzal said it should not pass unnoticed “that the perpetrators were Asian and the victims were not”.

He added: “Cultural baggage and the status of women among some men in these communities contributes to their disrespect for the rights of women.

“Exploitation happens in every community but these cases demonstrate that group grooming is a particular problem in Asian communities. I will not turn a blind eye to crimes in any community.”

Bolton Crown Court heard that Rahman went on to prey on a 17-year-old girl living in a children’s home, who he picked up in his car and sexually assaulted in a flat after giving her vodka.
In June 2010 a 19-year-old woman was taken to a flat in Rochdale where she was plied with vodka before Rahman raped her while she pleaded for him to stop.
In September last year, a 20-year-old woman was driven around Rochdale by Rahman and two other men, who got her drunk on vodka before she was raped at a flat by Hannan.
When officers from Greater Manchester Police arrested and cautioned Rahman on suspicion of rape last September, he replied: “Rape? Which one?”