A LETTER to the Home Secretary calling for action on gang grooming has been signed by both Oxford MPs.

A cross-party group of 20 MPs have raised concerns over how the Government is tackling the issue after being 'alarmed' by the similarities in gang-related child sexual exploitation cases across the country.

There have been several convictions for such crimes in Oxford in recent years, with other high-profile cases in Rotherham, Rochdale and Newcastle.

In the letter to Sajid Javid, the group, which include Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds and Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran, called for the Home Office to undertake research into common patterns of behaviour in such cases to better understand the causes.

They also asked the Government work with the Information Commissioner’s Office to develop guidelines that actively encourage agencies to share information where there are grounds to believe that a child may be at risk.

The letter highlights a similar policy has already been implemented among police forces and 'further reassurance' is needed for other organisations that work with children.

In a separate letter to the Minister for Children and Families, Nadim Zahawi MP, the group have asked for clarification on the guidance issued to local authorities on planning and strategies about preventing gang grooming.

Ms Moran, who has also written to Oxfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfield about the issue, said: “Gang-related child sexual exploitation cannot be tolerated and it is vital that the Government and local police do everything possible to confront and prevent it so we can avoid the devastating impact on victims in Oxford and around the country. I’ll continue to work on a cross-party basis to make sure children are protected from child sexual exploitation.”