SYSTEMIC failings have been identified within Greater Manchester Police and its dealings with safeguarding children.

The report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), follows an inspection in July of officers tasked under the Children's Act 1989, with protecting children.

During the inspection, which identified 'significant delays', 30 self assessed cases involving children, which were viewed as 'good' by GMP, turned out when re-examined at by HMIC, to have just eight viewed as 'good' with the remainder 'adequate, five 'inadequate' and one requiring 'improvement'.

The inspection found a number of incidents where police had failed to adequately respond in a timely fashion to alleged incidents.

It also found children were being unnecessarily detained in police custody overnight.

Specific incidents included a delayed investigation into a child neglect case where a young child was seen crawling on a floor covered in drugs paraphernalia and the mother incapacitated because of drug use, which had not been progressed five months later.

In another case, it took police three months to interview a grandfather over an alleged rape of his nine-year-old grandson.

Inspectors said they were pleased to find within GMP a strong commitment , visible leadership and clear plans for continued improvement of child protection services; staff responsible for managing child abuse investigations were knowledgeable, skilled and dedicated to providing good outcomes for children; good relationships with partner agencies and local safeguarding children boards; and staff from partner agencies being based in the same location, to help deliver better child protection services.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Mike Cunningham said: “I was concerned that inspectors found significant delays in the investigation of a number of child protection cases, and would like to see these delays reduced.

“I encourage GMP to act on our recommendations as a matter of urgency, and have asked that within six weeks it provides us with an action plan to demonstrate how it will act upon these recommendations.”

GMP assistant chief constable Dawn Copley said: "We have recognised the delays that can sometimes arise when investigating cases involving child abuse and the distress this can cause to the victims. We are now working alongside colleagues from the high tech crime unit and the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure these delays are kept to a minimum.

"We agree with the HMIC that it if possible, keeping children in custody should be avoided and welcome the report recognises the efforts that are being made to ensure this does not happen.

"We have put in place a comprehensive action plan, much of which has already been implemented to address these issues."