East Lancashire political leaders welcome rethink on abuse cases (From Chorley Citizen)

East Lancashire political leaders welcome rethink on abuse cases

9:57am Friday 8th March 2013 in East Lancashire

LABOUR council leader Kate Hollern and Tory MP Andrew Stephenson have welcomed a review of child sex abuse investigations to prevent prosecutors focusing on the victims’ credibility rather than the suspects’.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said there was an ‘overcautious’ approach to victims as he announced new guidelines on the issue.

Hundreds of cases where there was no prosecution could be re-examined. He said that after the Savile affair ‘the pendulum needs re-positioning again’.

Blackburn with Darwen leader Kate Hollern said: “We have done a lot of work in the borough on this issue with the police through the Engage Team.

These moves are welcome to ensure that good work is followed up by prosecutors and the courts.”

Mr Stephenson, MP for Pendle, said: “We have a Freedom Team where Lancashire County Council and the police tackle this crime.

“I welcome these moves to ensure the perpetrators are prosecuted.”