Andrew Norfolk: The Times Reporter Who Exposed Grooming Gangs Dies at 60
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Andrew Norfolk, the award-winning investigative journalist renowned for uncovering the UK’s grooming gang scandals, has passed away at the age of 60. His fearless reporting for The Times brought national attention to systemic child sexual exploitation, particularly in Rotherham, and led to significant policy reforms and public inquiries.
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Early Life and Education
Born on January 8, 1965, Norfolk was educated at Kent College, Canterbury, and Ashville College in Harrogate. He pursued English studies at Durham University, graduating in 1987. During his university years, he served as the sports editor for Palatinate, the student newspaper, and represented the university in field hockey.
Journalism Career
Norfolk began his journalism career at the Scarborough Evening News in 1989, later joining the Yorkshire Post in 1995. In 2000, he became a reporter for The Times, eventually rising to the position of chief investigative reporter in 2012.Wikipedia
His most notable work commenced in 2010 when he investigated on-street grooming of girls in the Midlands and northern England, predominantly by British-Pakistani men. His groundbreaking 2011 reports in The Times exposed widespread child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, revealing that authorities had been aware of the abuse for over a decade but failed to act. The Times+4Wikipedia+4The Times+4The Times+5Wikipedia+5Wikipedia+5
Impact and Recognition
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Norfolk’s investigative work led to multiple government-ordered inquiries, including the 2014 Jay Report, which uncovered that at least 1,400 children had been abused in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. His reporting prompted a national reckoning, resulting in changes to prosecution guidelines and broader political acknowledgment of these crimes. Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3The Times+3The Times
In recognition of his contributions, Norfolk received several prestigious awards:The Times+1Wikipedia+1
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Paul Foot Award for investigative journalism in 2013.Wikipedia
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Orwell Prize in 2013.Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
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Journalist of the Year at the British Journalism Awards in 2014.Wikipedia
Controversies
In August 2017, The Times published an article by Norfolk titled “Christian child forced into Muslim foster care,” which faced criticism for inaccuracies. The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) ruled that the story was misleading, requiring The Times to publish a correction. Norfolk later acknowledged that, in hindsight, he would not have written the story. Wikipedia
Personal Life and Death
Andrew Norfolk retired in November 2024 after a 24-year career at The Times. He had been experiencing health issues and passed away on May 8, 2025, after collapsing during a routine medical appointment. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2The Times+2
Legacy
Andrew Norfolk’s unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth brought justice to countless victims of child sexual exploitation and held authorities accountable for systemic failures. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of investigative journalism in effecting societal change.The Times+5The Times+5Wikipedia+5
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