A PRESTWICH man is one of ten people to be charged as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.

Shayfur Rahman, aged 31, of Chapel Road, Prestwich, has been charged with one count of rape as part of the investigation.

He will appear at Bury Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Rahman is one of ten men to be charged following the investigation, which focuses on sexual exploitation between 2005 and 2013, which police say occurred "mainly in the Rochdale area".

The charges brought related to offences committed against seven victims, who were aged between 13 and 23 at the time of the abuse.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “This investigation is one of a number of cases which comes under the umbrella of Operation Doublet, which is the continued investigation into child sexual exploitation (CSE) that arose following the 2011 investigation into CSE in Rochdale.

"The operation is an investigation into CSE in Rochdale and across other areas of Greater Manchester.

"The majority of the offences were committed between 2003 and 2013 and focus on reports that teenage girls were sexually exploited by older men.

“So far 65 people have been arrested as part of Operation Doublet and the investigation continues.

“This is an extremely complex and challenging investigation which started in May 2012. The investigation will continue over the coming months and further arrests are anticipated.

“The welfare of the victims is paramount and we have a team of experienced officers supporting them through the process.

“The sexual exploitation of children and young people is the absolute priority for Greater Manchester Police and its partners.

"In Rochdale, the multi-agency Sunrise team has made huge strides in the investigation of CSE. "In addition, Project Phoenix is a multi-agency response to CSE across the whole of Greater Manchester.

"Bringing together police, local authorities, NHS and third sector organisations, including Barnardos and Crimestoppers, who have come together, using their collective expertise to safeguard vulnerable young people at risk of exploitation and relentlessly target those who would try to exploit them."