Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has called for the home and foreign secretaries to explore all possible avenues for deporting Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang. Ahmed is scheduled for release from prison this week after serving a sentence for multiple rape and sexual offenses against minors.
Burnham stated on social media that he wants to see the "vile criminal out of the country" and that "victims must come first." He indicated that "nothing is off the table" in reviewing options for Ahmed's removal. Burnham previously advocated for the deportation of grooming gang members in 2022 when he was the mayor of Greater Manchester.
Shabir Ahmed, who holds dual British-Pakistani citizenship, was stripped of his British citizenship following his conviction. However, according to documents reportedly from the Probation Service, Ahmed cannot be deported to Pakistan due to provisions within the Immigration Act 1971. This law bars the removal of individuals who arrived in the UK before 1973 and have resided in the country for at least five years before deportation is considered.
Justice Minister Jake Richards acknowledged to the BBC that there are "long-standing issues with our ability to deport foreign national offenders to Pakistan." He added that changing the law to allow retrospective deportation in such cases would be "very difficult." Richards confirmed that the individual is being closely monitored and that measures are being taken to protect his victims and ensure community safety upon his release.
Victims of the grooming gang have expressed fear for their safety. One victim, identified as "Ruby" and supported by The Maggie Oliver Foundation, stated her fear for herself and her children, noting that the ringleader's release and his continued connections to the area pose a risk. Maggie Oliver, founder of the foundation, commented that Ruby's fears are "quite rightly" held and that victims feel like an "afterthought."
The Home Office stated that Ahmed's crimes were "appalling" and that he will be subject to strict license conditions upon his release. These conditions include 24/7 supervised accommodation and an exclusion zone centered on Rochdale.
Ahmed was sentenced to 19 years in 2012 for offenses against five girls, as part of a case involving nine men. Police at the time suggested the gang may have victimized as many as 50 girls, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. The judge presiding over the trial noted that victims were treated as "worthless and beyond any respect" due to not being part of the gang's community or religion. Greater Manchester Police had previously stated that the crimes had no "racial or cultural" element. A subsequent report found serious failures by police and local authorities in responding to concerns raised about the gang.