More than 150 people have volunteered to form a public 'rapid response' team in Rochdale to protect women and girls from the released grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed. The group, organised by campaigner Billy Howarth, aims to provide immediate support to victims who fear retaliation from Ahmed's network.
Volunteer Response to State Failure
Howarth, who heads the Parents Against Grooming Gangs group, insists the team is not a vigilante group but a response to the authorities' failure to safeguard victims. He stated: 'I am in close contact with two of Ahmed's victims, and they are in complete crisis. They have been led to believe all along that this monster would be deported the day he was released, but instead, they now find out that is not the case.'
Ahmed, 73, was convicted of 30 child rape offences as the leader of one of Britain's worst-known grooming gang cases. He was released on Thursday despite being stripped of British citizenship, because he arrived from Pakistan prior to 1973, which exempts him from deportation under the Immigration Act 1971.
Victims Living in Fear
Howarth explained that the victims, now mothers themselves, are terrified of Ahmed's network. 'What the girls fear is who from his network – which stretches right across the UK – he could send round to their homes. They are terrified and dare not leave their homes,' he said. The rapid response team is ready to mobilise and call the police if needed.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have stated that security measures have been tightened, but Howarth argues this is insufficient. 'I've seen the probation service email where it states Shabir's released terms. There has been nothing put in place to provide immediate support to his victims or to provide protection,' he added.
Community Reaction
The release has sparked fury in Rochdale. Hairdresser Michaela Hardman, 49, said: 'He must be deported. I'm born and bred in Rochdale, and grooming gangs are all we are now known for. I've got a daughter, and it's scary that he is being released.' Retired school dinner lady Carol Wellings, 76, added: 'He must be kicked out of the country, I can't understand it.'
Mum-of-two Leonie Winnie, 22, expressed support for the volunteer team: 'He should not be released from prison unless they are going to deport him. You rarely see the police so I understand why people have taken it into their own hands. I'm all for it.' Her partner Leroy Terry, 26, echoed: 'We need more people to help out if the police won't do what they are supposed to, to protect these girls.'
Concerns Over Vigilantism
However, some residents worry about the implications. Husband and wife Andrew and Frances Harris, both 69, believe Ahmed must be deported but oppose vigilante action. Mrs Harris said: 'It just causes more unrest, which the town doesn't need. But if they can't deport this man then I don't understand why they can't keep him in prison.'
Howarth rejected claims that his group are far-right racists, stating: 'What we're trying to achieve is to have a rapid response in place should the two girls need help. We will mobilise and call the police. There's no group of men walking around looking for grooming gangs.' He noted that he has a core team of eight trusted individuals and has vetted the 150 volunteers personally.
Ahmed's Release Conditions
Ahmed, who was jailed for 22 years in 2012, is banned from entering Rochdale or nearby Oldham under his licence conditions. He is tagged with a GPS tracker, banned from contact with children, and placed in accommodation manned 24/7 by staff ready to alert police. Despite these measures, the loophole preventing his deportation has provoked widespread anger.
Ruby, one of Ahmed's victims (name changed), said: 'I've been hurt and failed again. After saying this wouldn't happen, there are just constant failings, and nothing can be done about it.' Howarth called for Ahmed's immediate deportation, describing him as 'the devil incarnate' and 'one of the most evil characters that I've ever reared his head here in the northwest of England.'
