Shabir Ahmed, the 73-year-old ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, has been released to a high-security hostel just 15 miles from the area where his crimes occurred.The facility, Highfield House, is located near Accrington, Lancashire, and is used to house high-risk offenders.Ahmed was jailed in 2012 for multiple rape and child-sex offences involving 47 girls, some as young as 12.

His release has sparked significant controversy, with local community leaders and survivors expressing horror at his proximity to schools and playgrounds.The Labour Party's 2003 Criminal Justice Act mandates his release after serving half his sentence, despite calls for deportation to Pakistan.However, Pakistan refuses to take him back, citing his renounced citizenship.

The decision has led to protests and fears of rising tensions, as Ahmed's presence near his former stomping ground raises concerns about the safety of local children.

His past crimes, which involved grooming vulnerable teenagers in deprived areas, have left a lasting impact on the community, with many survivors still living in the region.