Journalist who exposed Rotherham grooming gangs dies aged 60

Andrew Norfolk, key journalist behind Rotherham grooming gang investigation, dies at 60.

Andrew Norfolk, the journalist who exposed the Rotherham grooming gangs scandal, has died at the age of 60. According to The Times, Norfolk passed away on May 8 after a period of ill health. He had retired late last year.

Norfolk began his journalism career at the Yorkshire Post, covering South Yorkshire. In 2000, he joined The Times, where he launched an investigation into the grooming of young girls in the Midlands and northern England. His groundbreaking reports, starting in 2010, led to formal inquiries, numerous resignations, and the prosecution of perpetrators involved in the abuse.

The investigation uncovered widespread child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, revealing that around 1,400 children had been victimized between 1997 and 2013. Norfolk’s fearless work earned him the Paul Foot Award for investigative journalism in February 2013, recognizing the profound impact of his reporting.

Sir Keir Starmer praised Norfolk’s contribution, calling him “absolutely integral” to the changes in law that allowed more grooming gang members to be convicted. Norfolk’s work not only brought justice to victims but also helped raise awareness of systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children.