THE crimes committed by the child sex abuse gangs in Keighley have been condemned by community leaders.

Twelve men who raped or abused a teenage schoolgirl were jailed at Bradford Crown Court today.

Councillor Zafar Ali said their actions had caused widespread damage to the town's reputation.

He stressed mosques had been playing their part in preaching against child sexual abuse and said such sermons must continue.

"It's totally inhuman behaviour," said Cllr Ali (Con, Keighley Central).

"While we can't reverse the suffering it's already caused – and my heart goes out to the victims – what we can do is stop it happening again.

"This is an awful, daunting problem and it's important we come together as a community to deal with it.

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"As it is, no religion or culture allows sexual grooming, but the mosques can't stop it from happening all by themselves.

"Our mosques do have a role, but it should also be the responsibility of parents to teach their own children about this crime and what effects it has on people."

Councillor Abid Hussain (Lab, Keighley Central) praised the police for the work they had put into catching the men sent to prison.

He said the sentences must also deliver an uncompromising message to anyone else involved in child sex abuse.

"The police have done a fantastic job of investigating this," he said.

"We don't want these types of crimes taking place in our district, or anywhere else in the world. I feel very sorry for the victims and also for the families of those who are guilty.

"As Keighley people we just want to live in peace with our neighbours. We don't want hatred in our town."

Mohammed Saleem, community relations and education offer for Keighley Muslim Association, (KMA) said: "The Muslim community in Keighley has worked with the police to ensure the actions of a few do not cause harm to community cohesion.

"KMA has organised open days and we also arranged for a seminar in regards to Child Sexual Exploitation and Safeguarding and how we as a community can work together to ensure the safety of our children in the community.

"Imams and other religious leaders have delivered lectures clarifying how actions such as child sex grooming are completely against the teachings and values of our faith.

"To ensure the safety of children on our streets the police, local authorities, schools and community leaders need to work to raise awareness of the harms facing our society."

Paul Skinner, a Keighley resident and former soldier who founded the Keighley Community Through Unity group, said the men responsible thoroughly deserved their long prison terms.

"I know that the community from which these men originate is appalled at their crime, and also rightly concerned about a blanket prejudice arising from the actions of a criminal class," he said.

"We must not allow this to happen.

"The most appalling aspect of grooming gangs such as this is that a group of males has conspired and organised to abuse.

"There's an expectation in society that peer pressure should stop any collective, morally repugnant action like this. However within a close circle it's often the case that the opposite seems true."

The leader of Bradford Council David Green added: "Child sexual exploitation is a dreadful crime which all right minded people deplore and we are pleased this is reflected in the sentencing of these men. We also acknowledge the courage and commitment of the young women in giving their evidence which led to these convictions.  

"We are determined, working closely with the police, to ensure all perpetrators of child sexual exploitation are pursued and prosecuted, no matter when the abuse took place.”  

"We have invested additional resources in recent years to tackle child sexual exploitation and keep children safe. Our multi-agency hub, which has been operating since January 2012, involving the Police, Council, NHS and voluntary organisations across Bradford District, means we can make sure risks are identified and there is fast and effective intervention.  

"We need help from the community as a whole, from parents and carers, to take responsibility for vulnerable young people and help from neighbours to give us third party information if they suspect that CSE has or is taking place, or that children are at risk. This is an issue for everybody. It goes right into the heart of every community."  

If anyone has any concerns about the safety of a child or a young person in the Bradford district they should contact West Yorkshire Police, Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) or Children’s Services Initial Contact Point on 01274 437500 or NSPCC Child Protection helpline on 0808 800 5000.