Twelve men from Kirklees have been arrested as part of an investigation into reports of non-recent child sexual abuse, West Yorkshire Police has confirmed.

The men were arrested from September onwards, largely from addresses in Batley, with one arrest made in Lancashire. All twelve have been interviewed by detectives and released on police bail while enquiries continue. No charges have been announced.

The reported offences, including rape, sexual assault and human trafficking, are said to have taken place mainly in the Kirklees area between 2006 and 2009, when the victim was aged between 14 and 16.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Davis, of Kirklees District Police, said: "Child sexual abuse and exploitation is an abhorrent crime and significant strides have been made in recent years to bring persons responsible for committing these offences in years and decades past to justice."

He added: "A complex investigation by specialist officers has resulted in 12 men being arrested from September onwards."

Allegations, not charges

Police have stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and that the allegations have not yet resulted in charges. The twelve men are on bail, and no names have been released. As with any arrest, the men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court, and the allegations remain subject to investigation.

The case is the latest in a series of non-recent child sexual abuse investigations in West Yorkshire. In a separate case, twenty people were jailed in May 2026 for a total of 277 years for sexual abuse committed against young girls in Kirklees between 1995 and 2003, after six trials at Leeds Crown Court. That case involved different victims and different defendants, and is not connected to the current arrests.

Police focus on historic abuse

West Yorkshire Police has said safeguarding children and bringing to justice those involved in child sexual abuse remains a key focus for the force, and that its large-scale enquiries demonstrate an ongoing commitment to investigating both current and non-recent sexual offences.

Specialist officers in Kirklees continue to investigate reports of abuse dating back decades, and the force has repeatedly encouraged people who experienced abuse as children to come forward, however long ago the offences are said to have taken place.

Anyone who wishes to report non-recent child sexual abuse can contact West Yorkshire Police on 101, or through the force's "When You Are Ready" service, which provides information and support for people considering reporting abuse they experienced as a child. In an emergency, always call 999.