ONCE again, a story of child abuse is in the news. How can 1,400 cases go unnoticed?

In previous cases involving one child being a victim of domestic abuse, in some cases ending fatally, the social services have been at fault - missing the obvious.

In the case of Rotherham, it appears the police and social services have had their heads in the sand. How many times is this going to happen?

The ones in charge of children’s services seem to be nothing but pen-pushers and can only blame everyone but themselves. It’s time for the law to be changed and those held responsible to be chucked out.

Child abuse is nothing new. It’s been going on for the best part of 50 years, and still we fall into the same pothole.

John Brant, Darlington.

AS an old-fashioned feminist, I am totally outraged by recent events in Rotherham, but not surprised.

A lifetime of experience of even the most respectable organisations has taught me that their default position is generally to cling together to protect their good name and avoid rocking the boat, rather than protect the powerless from the powerful.

I am reminded of an ex-student of mine who got a job in social work in a Lancashire town. Her boss advised her that should anything untoward occur, she was “on her own”. Enough said.

Linda Chadd, Darlington.

IT would appear that the South Yorkshire Police force is inherently corrupt or inefficient, possible both.

This is the force that was found to have rigged evidence against striking miners after the Orgreave confrontation and is presently fighting to retain any vestige of integrity in the protracted aftermath of the Hillsborough tragedy.

Now we find that they sat on their hands during widespread child abuse in Rotherham. Hardly the force to be trusted with a contemporary investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by a high profile show business celebrity.

They are a disgrace to their profession and I feel it is time for the Home Secretary to use the full range of sanctions at her disposal.

V J Connor, Bishop Auckland