Eight men have been arrested as part of Operation Oak, an investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation which took place in south Wales between 1985 and 1996.

Operation Oak is Gwent Police’s investigation into reports made by a number of women of sexual abuse committed against them as children between 1985 and 1996.

The investigation centres around allegations made by several women of sexual abuse committed against them as children. Their accounts echo that of many other women who have spoken out across different pockets of the UK in which similar “grooming gangs” operated.

There are 34 offences in total as part of Operation Oak, including 17 counts of rape. Det Ch Supt Andrew Tuck from Gwent Police described the investigation as “complex and long-running”.

The men, all British citizens, range from ages 54-73. They were arrested from different locations across England, Scotland and Wales and are due to appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on 24 July 2026.

The investigation and subsequent arrests add to the many others which have taken place in recent years across the UK as police crackdown on “grooming gangs”, many of which operated years and even decades ago.

Switalskis regularly represents survivors of this type of abuse, including where individuals wish to pursue civil claims against local authorities and the police for their failings at the time of the abuse. If you or someone you know has been affected and would like legal support, our experienced team is here to help.

How Switalskis can help

Every survivor of abuse deserves justice. That means holding perpetrators fully accountable, and it also means ensuring survivors are supported to reclaim their voice, rebuild their sense of control, and pursue the compensation they are entitled to for the harm they have suffered.

At Switalskis, our specialist abuse lawyers have decades of experience in representing survivors of child sexual exploitation. We understand that such cases are very emotional for clients and often legally complex, therefore we are dedicated to providing a supportive and professional environment in which our clients can feel confident in our services. We are committed to ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

If you have been impacted and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team   can help. Call 0800 1380 458   or email help@switalskis.com