VIDEO: Police commissioner admits restoring faith in police will be "slow"

Dr Alan Billings admitted the difficulty when launching a new study into South Yorkshire Police’s handling of CSE cases last week.

See the video below for more on the review.

He was asked whether he thought the three-month Drew Review, led by social work expert Dr John Drew, would restore confidence in the force.

He replied: “It’s just going to be slow and take a long time to do.”

“Clearly there is such a history here now — particularly in Rotherham, though not exclusively in Rotherham — that we’re starting from a very low base.”

Dr Billings emphasised at the press conference that work towards improved policing was already underway.

He told reporters that he expected to find no ongoing failings around CSE investigation.

“Public protection units are now being co-located in each of the districts, so you’ve got police working with vulnerable people located with the local authority, social workers and people from the NHS,” he said.

“If you meet those teams you realise immediately that here are groups of people who are now absolutely determined to get this right.

“I also have a victims, survivors and families panel which meets with police officers in order to get right the approach to victims and how they are treated.”

Dr Billings and Dr Drew called on anyone with experience of CSE — as a victim, a relative or a professional — to come forward and tell their story.

Visit www.southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk for more information and contact details.