Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has met with Home Secretary Priti Patel to directly raise his concerns regarding crime in the local area. Moore used the meeting to focus on some of the biggest issues facing Keighley and Ilkley, including drug misuse, anti-social behaviour and child sexual exploitation.
Moore raised alarm about the level of drug crime in his constituency. This is an undeniable problem in Keighley, with drug dealing happening on the townâs streets on a daily basis. The Government recently introduced a ten-year strategy to tackle drug crime, which included giving law enforcement new powers to expand drug testing. Moore lobbied the Home Secretary to ensure the strategy is delivered so that results are seen in Keighley and Ilkley as soon as possible.
Moore also raised the issue of child sexual exploitation in the local area, a matter which he has promised not to ignore. Following campaigning on the matter by Moore, the Home Secretary recently announced an investigation into the police response to child sexual exploitation, with the Bradford District highlighted as an area of focus for the inquiry. Patel also stated that Moore would be personally consulted for his opinion as part of the investigation. Moore has also been separately campaigning for a âRotherham-Styleâ review looking specifically at child sexual exploitation in the local area, which will explore multi agency failings.
Robbie Moore MP said: âThere is so much to celebrate in Keighley and Ilkley, yet I would be failing in my responsibility if I did not talk about, or indeed lobby the Government hard for support on the problems which haunt our area. Issues like drug dealing and child sexual exploitation are as undeniable as they are abhorrent, so it is vital we tackle these issues head on.
As an MP, I can use my platform to raise such problems with those at the very top of Government. I was therefore delighted to meet with the Home Secretary on Wednesday, to discuss how national plans can have a positive impact on Keighley and Ilkley. It was important to raise the problem of drug crime in the local area, which is a huge issue. With regards to child sexual exploitation, I was pleased to hear the Home Secretary following my lobbying has launched an investigation into the policeâs handling of these cases with the Bradford District being referenced as a specific area of concern. It is vital that we reinstall trust back into those very organisations which have failed our most vulnerable in society.
