AN INVESTIGATION by the police watchdog into Thames Valley Police’s handling of Operation Bullfinch has been suspended, it emerged last night.

The force referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on February 26, in the wake of a serious case review of how authorities failed to prevent the sexual abuse of young girls in Oxford by grooming gangs.

The review said there were 1,561 recorded police contacts with the girls but just 26 offences recorded.

One victim said she arrived at a police station in the early hours of the morning, “bruised and bloody”, but was dismissed as “being naughty, a nuisance”.

The IPCC’s investigation is due to look at whether any police officers or staff should be disciplined, but the watchdog said yesterday it had suspended the probe in April.

Spokeswoman Annabelle McMillan said: “We have asked the force for some clarification on issues highlighted within the serious case review and its own individual management review and we are awaiting its response.”

It is understood Thames Valley Police is still in discussions with the IPCC over what further information is required.

Independent chairwoman of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board, Maggie Blyth said it was time to “move forward” from examining failings to ensure child exploitation was properly tackled.

Ms Blyth stressed that “no one person” was responsible for the Bullfinch scandal, but it was for organisations to discipline staff.

Ms Blyth added: “I know social services, the police and the NHS have looked very carefully at all of the staff involved at the time and have taken action and communica-ted with the regulators about that.”