Ten charged over child abuse in Manchester

Ten men were charged as part of an investigation to tackle child sexual exploitation in Great Manchester, local police said on Monday.

Greater Manchester Police said the investigation is focus on sexual exploitation between 2005 and 2013 in Rochdale, a large market town in Greater Manchester.

The police said those men were accused of serious sex offences against teenager girls, including rape, conspiracy to rape, inciting children to engage in sexual activity, as well as bodily harm against victim.

Seven victims, aged between 13 and 23, were involved in the abuse, the police said.

"This investigation is one of a number of cases which comes under the umbrella of Operation Doublet, which is the continued investigation into Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) that arose following the 2011 investigation into CSE in Rochdale," said Ian Wiggett, assistant chief constable.

He said 65 people have been arrested as part of the operation, while the investigation centering on CSE will continue.

"This is an extremely complex and challenging investigation which started in May 2012. The investigation will continue over the coming months and further arrests are anticipated," he said, adding the welfare of the victims is paramount and a team of experienced officers will support them. Endit