Public attention on grooming gangs has often centred on the north of England. A government-commissioned report last year found in three regions – Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire – there was enough evidence to show “disproportionate numbers of men from Asian ethnic backgrounds amongst suspects for group-based child sexual exploitation”.

Our investigation reveals a complex picture in London, with gangs from a range of ethnic backgrounds, including white, operating widely in the capital and frequently exploiting young women.

Last year, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said there was no “indication of […] grooming gangs” – of the type seen in Rotherham and other towns – operating in the capital.

However, a spokesperson for Sir Sadiq recently told the BBC he wanted to support police to do everything possible to tackle “all child sexual exploitation in the capital, including grooming gangs”.