Oxford abuse case: Police chief 'very sorry'

Name: Oxford abuse case: Police chief 'very sorry'
Uploaded: 2013-05-15T07:40:14.000Z
Duration: 8 min 53 s
Description: The chief constable of Thames Valley police, Sara Thornton, has rejected suggestions that she should resign over the eight-year long abuse of girls in the Oxford area by a paedophile ring.

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The Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Sara Thornton, has rejected suggestions that she should resign over the eight-year long abuse of girls in the Oxford area by a paedophile ring.

Seven men were found guilty yesterday of raping and trafficking girls as young as 11.

Speaking to Today presenter John Humphrys Sara Thornton repeated her apologies for taking so long to secure the convictions, but said that she would oversee changes in investigating these sort of crimes.

"I accept responsibility and as I've said I'm very sorry that it took so long to get this case to court but the focus has got to be on moving forward," she added.

When asked whether she was going to resign, Ms Thornton said "I think the focus for me is on driving improvements into the future."

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday 15 May 2013.

15 May 2013