POLICE failings under the leadership of departing Chief Constable Sara Thornton will not stop her from moving to a £180,000 job, her new organisation has said.

Ms Thornton is leaving Thames Valley Police (TVP) at the end of the month to become the first chairwoman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, a move announced in December.

The force was heavily criticised in a Serious Case Review released last Tuesday into the sexual exploitation of young girls in Oxford. But the council, which will replace the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said the findings of the review will not affect its decision to hire Ms Thornton.

Spokeswoman Nicola Growcott told the Oxford Mail: “I don’t think there’s any intention to review her position on the basis of issues at Thames Valley Police previously.

Our top stories

 

“You have to understand there will be things that go wrong in the forces.”

The review found police had been aware of the abuse of girls, which was finally exposed in its Operation Bullfinch, since 2005 but had repeatedly failed to pursue investigations or even record it as a crime.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is now investigating to see if any individuals should be disciplined.

Home Secretary Theresa May and Police Minister Mike Penning refused to comment, with Home Office spokesman Richard Jones adding: “The Home Office played no role in the appointment.”