GROOMING GANG INVESTIGATIONS | The Investigator

Disclosure and Strategic Case Management in Grooming Gang Investigations, 17 June 2026

Our workshop explores contemporary challenges and best practice around the investigation of grooming gangs.

Complex grooming gang prosecutions are digitally intensive, multi-defendant and highly scrutinised. In these cases, disclosure failures are rarely technical, they are usually failures of strategy.

This workshop focuses on the importance of structured, defensible decision-making from the outset of an investigation through to receipt of a Defence Case Statement.

Held online via Teams

Workshop Key Themes

• Relevance must be linked to the issues

• strategy must reflect case theory

• Reasonable lines of enquiry must be proportionate and recorded

• The IMD is your safeguard

• A Defence Case Statement requires structured, not defensive, review.

AGENDA - BST

9.30am-9.40am: Welcome and introduction, Carol Jenkins, The Investigator

9.40am-10.30am: Session One: Relevance and Exhibit Strategy

A look at why serious sexual exploitation cases attract heightened scrutiny
This session sets the foundation: what is relevant, and how do we decide what becomes evidence?
Identifying the Issues in the Case

10.30am: Questions

10.30am-10.50am: Break

10.50am-11.40am: Session Two: Reasonable Lines of Enquiry and Proportionality

What is a Reasonable Line of Enquiry?
Linking Lines of Enquiry to the Issues
Applying Proportionality

Key themes

Large digital downloads
Third party material (local authority, social care, education)
Historic allegations spanning years
Multi-defendant association evidence

11.40am-11.50am

11.50am-12.10pm: Break

12.10pm-1pm: Session Three: The Investigation Management Document (IMD)

Purpose of the IMD
Best practice around how to complete a strong IMD
Common weaknesses

1pm-1.10pm: Break

1.10pm-2pm:

Session Four: Defence Case Statements (DCS)

What Constitutes a Proper DCS?
Common Defence Themes in Grooming Gang Cases
What Changes When a DCS is Served?

2pm-2.20pm: Final questions and discussions

2.20pm: Workshop finishes

Our speakers

Zoe Becker is a senior CPS prosecutor who has worked on numerous complex prosecutions including grooming gangs prosecutions and is well-versed in current challenges and best practice around Disclosure in an operational environment.

Jocelyn Lodge is an experienced barrister who has worked for a law enforcement organisation advising on disclosure strategies on a number of complex investigations, including grooming gangs, where disclosure obligations have been challenging.

HOW TO BOOK

Cost: £225 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate). £270 + VAT (Industry rate), per delegate

Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.

Student discount: We offer a 35% discount on all of our online events/workshops on condition of payment by card and a valid University email address.

Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.

Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.