'Opportunities missed' to protect Aylesbury abuse victims

Concerns about a girl repeatedly abused by a gang of men in Buckinghamshire were raised by a charity several years before the perpetrators were arrested, it has emerged.

"I think the workers at the time missed a number of opportunities to protect them," said David Johnston, who has been director for children's services at Buckinghamshire County Council since 2014.

"We know a great deal more about child sexual exploitation and grooming now than we did back then."

Barnardo's told the BBC it had worked with the ring's two victims in 2008 and referred the case of one to the local authority and other relevant agencies.

I need to look at what happened at the time in terms of Barnados reporting it, said Mr Johnston.

"We do welcome people coming to senior managers including myself to report issues like this."