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Police and social workers investigating child sex exploitation in Manchester knew children were suffering "the most profound abuse... but did not protect them", a report has found.

After a child's death in 2003, police identified at least 97 suspects, but "very few" faced justice, the independent review found.

The police operation was "prematurely closed down" after officers decided to "remove resources", the report said.

Police said "authorities fell short".

GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins apologised for the police failures which allowed the abuse of children in care to continue.

GMP is reviewing all the cases covered in the report and has made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Alys Harte reports.