Councillors were told that child abuse on the scale of Rotherham is not evident in Kirklees.

Kirklees Council’s deputy leader Clr Jean Calvert says she feels reassured after making enquiries about the situation locally after the scale of child abuse in the South Yorkshire town was revealed with up to 1,400 people victims of organised sexual abuse.

Clr Jean Calvert, the council’s deputy leader and who has statutory responsibility for children’s services, said: “I am reassured based on the answers I’ve had at the moment.

“I’ve asked for a report to be prepared to outline the position in Kirklees ... and how we address it when we discover it.”

Clr Nicola Turner, Lib Dem leader and Colne Valley ward, said everyone needed reassurance about the local situation: “If it’s happening in Rotherham and Rochdale, what about everywhere inbetween which is here?”

Clr David Ridgway, Colne Valley Lib Dem, said the scale of the child sexual exploitation was a ‘disgusting cancer’ that may be ‘spreading deeper than just Rotherham’ due to the latest revelations, as well as investigations in neighbouring Bradford.

He asked if there had been a “break-down in the protection of vulnerable children and law enforcement.”

Clr Masood Ahmed, the council’s Police and Crime Panel member, said West Yorkshire Police has a ‘strong partnership’ with the council’s Safeguarding Board and he would press the point further.

Clr Calvert has previously asked for the public to help them.

She said: “In order for us to do our job properly we rely upon members of the public to be vigilant in terms of reporting any significant concerns which they may have about the care of children and young people in our local area.

“I know that we do not always get it right, but rest assured that we continue to work diligently to protect all of our local children and young people from harm.”

Anyone who wants to raise immediate concerns, should contact the police on 101.

Other numbers are Kirklees Duty and Assessment: 01924 326097, 01924 326079, or switchboard 01484 221000

Kirklees Emergency Duty (out of office hours) 01484 414933

NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000