Rochdale grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed has been moved from his accommodation after its location was revealed on social media, authorities confirmed. The 73-year-old Pakistani-born offender, known to his victims as “Daddy,” was released on licence on July 2 after serving 14 years in jail since his conviction in 2012 for multiple rape and sexual offences against young girls.
Address Disclosure Sparks Uproar
Ahmed is subject to strict licence conditions, including staying at approved accommodation staffed 24 hours a day. However, the disclosure of his address in Accrington, Lancashire, caused local outrage. Among those calling for his removal was Sarah Smith, Labour MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden.
In a statement, Smith said: “Since finding out that Shabir Ahmed had been released from prison into Hyndburn, I did everything in my power to get him removed. I can confirm that he has been moved. My thanks go to the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office, and Lancashire Police for ensuring this outcome.”
MP Demands Deportation
Smith expressed disgust that Ahmed was placed in her constituency and joined other MPs in calling for a wider exclusion zone to prevent him from being housed in Lancashire or the North West. She added: “He must be deported as soon as possible, and I am pleased the Government is taking steps to secure this. My first thoughts are with his victims. His release will bring back unimaginable trauma for the women whose lives were changed forever by his sickening crimes. They deserved to know that once he left prison, he would leave this country. Instead, they have been told he remains here, far too close to the scenes of his crimes and to his victims.”
Government Response
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “Public protection is our top priority. This offender is subject to the toughest supervision possible and he will be on the sex offenders register for life. He is also banned from contacting his victims, or any child or young person, and has his movements tracked.” Ahmed cannot return to his former home address in Oldham and is excluded from parts of Rochdale.
Home Secretary’s Pledge
On Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans to change the Immigration and Asylum Bill, currently passing through the Commons, to remove immunity under the 1971 Immigration Act that prevents Ahmed’s deportation. However, she admitted in the Commons that even with the law change, she cannot deport him unless Pakistan agrees to accept him. The 1971 law forbids removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than 50 years ago.
