What are Pakistani ‘grooming gangs’ in London and why should the Sikh community worry

When you hear about Pakistani grooming gangs in London, it’s easy to think of statistics and headlines—but behind the numbers are real children whose lives were stolen and families left grappling with trauma.

These gangs, made up largely of men of Pakistani British heritage, systematically exploited vulnerable children and teenagers, mostly white girls, across the UK from the 1990s through the 2010s. While towns like Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford became infamous for high-profile cases, the impact is felt far beyond those communities.

How grooming gangs preyed on children

These gangs didn’t just abuse—they groomed. Girls as young as 11 were approached in parks, streets, and near schools by men offering attention, gifts, or alcohol. Slowly, trust was twisted into control. Victims were trafficked between perpetrators, sexually abused by multiple men, and threatened with violence if they spoke out. Some were forced into unimaginable acts in a single session. In the most tragic cases, children like Lucy Lowe, 16, lost their lives at the hands of their abusers.

Unlike abuse within families, these predators operated in the open, hiding in plain sight as taxi drivers, takeaway workers, or neighbours, making it nearly impossible for families to anticipate or prevent.

Failures of the system

Reports such as the Jay Report (Rotherham, 2014) revealed a shocking indifference from institutions that should have protected these children. Social services, police, and councils often dismissed victims as “troubled” or “promiscuous,” while perpetrators continued abusing children unchecked. Some parents were even arrested for trying to save their daughters.

Part of the failure stemmed from fear—fear of being labelled racist. Early whistleblowers and journalists were criticised for highlighting abuse by men of Pakistani heritage. Authorities worried about “community cohesion”, allowing abuse to persist for years.

Targeting patterns

Investigations found that in certain towns, men of Pakistani heritage were disproportionately represented in organised grooming networks. Many survivors reported being targeted because of their ethnicity. They were seen as “exploitable” while perpetrators rationalised that girls from their own community should remain untouched. Reform MP Robert Jenrick has described these crimes as racially motivated, highlighting the intersection of race, gender, and vulnerability.

Community action: Hounslow Case

In West London’s Hounslow, nearly 200 members of the Sikh community intervened to rescue a 16-year-old girl allegedly groomed by a 34-year-old Pakistani man. Authorities had reportedly failed to act despite warnings. This case demonstrates that vigilance within communities remains essential. For the Sikh community, and other minority groups, it highlights the importance of recognising grooming patterns and taking proactive measures to protect children.

Why the Sikh community should remain vigilant

Grooming gangs target vulnerable children, not communities. Yet, incidents like Hounslow show that minority groups, including Sikhs, often take matters into their own hands to protect the young. Awareness, education, and collaboration with law enforcement are vital. The story underscores a painful truth: when institutions fail, communities must step in.

Bhai Mohan Singh met the 16-year-old girl from the viral case, who has now been safely rescued. The Sikh Awareness Society is supporting the girl and her family.

Mohan Singh, founder of SAS, has spent over 30 years fighting grooming gangs in the UK and protecting vulnerable girls… pic.twitter.com/URITJvMlJr

— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) January 16, 2026

The Government’s grooming gangs inquiry will now investigate the role of ethnicity, religion, and culture in motivating these crimes.

Thank you to everybody who helped us force them into this.

There’s still a lot of work to do, but we’re one step closer to the whole truth. pic.twitter.com/6oS1vRGEkr

— Katie Lam (@Katie_Lam_MP) April 4, 2026