By Matthew Moore
An investigation has been launched into the targeting of teenage girls in Oldham, Greater Manchester, by a group of local paedophiles.
As many as 20 girls - some as young as 12 - are thought to have been abused by older men who buy them gifts and pose as their "boyfriends", before turning the relationship sexual.
More than 20 people have already been arrested, and five people have been charged with offences including abduction and rape.
Greater Manchester Police have described the abuse as a major problem but say they have no evidence that it is the work of an organised paedophile ring.
The abusers typically prey on girls they do not know, approaching them in public places. They offer gifts of mobile phones and electronic gadgets to gain their victims' trust, before plying them with drink and drugs.
It is alleged that the girls - a small number of whom are in local authority care - end up being physically harmed or forced into sex.
The joint inquiry is being carried out by police, Oldham council, Oldham Primary Care Trust and the charity Barnardos.
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