Twenty five men have been charged with child sex offences against two girls in Calderdale following a major police operation.

In what police say is the largest child sexual exploitation (CSE) investigation in the country - bigger than high profile cases in Rochdale and Rotherham - the men face a combined total of 59 charges, including rape, sexual activity with a child under 16 and trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

The men, who are mainly from Halifax, are accused of committing the offences between 2006 and 2011.

A year-long investigation eventually saw them arrested in May 2013 and they were all formally charged at Halifax Police Station on Wednesday. They have all been released on bail and are due to appear at Calderdale Magistrates Court next Thursday.

The allegations centre around two girls, who are believed to have been in Calderdale Council’s care when the men were arrested, although the majority of them relate to one girl. It is thought the girls were as young as 13 when they were allegedly abused.

The majority of the men charged are from the Asian community and there are fears that the investigation could impact on race relations in Halifax.

However, Temporary Chief Superintendent Owen West, District Commander for Calderdale, said there are no immediate plans to heighten patrols around the town.

“Our issue going forward is around community engagement and how we respond to any issues that come on the back of these charges,” he said.

“For a period of time it’s highly likely that Calderdale will be under the spotlight a little bit.

“If we get increased tension or anger we have got plans to meet that. But we’re not going to go out in traditional high visibility yellow jackets because there’s no need for that at this stage.

“We’re very much seeing it as business as usual for now.”

Police officers and police partners were informed about the development in the investigation on Wednesday.

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he men the police have charged

Hedar Ali, 35, of Nantwich, Cheshire. He is charged with rape (x2) and trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation (x2).

Fasil Mahmood, 35, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 and supply of a class B Drug.

Zameer Asif, 24, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child.

Mohammed Ramzan, 34, of Bradford. He is charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16, rape and trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Khalid Zaman, 37, of Bradford. He is charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16, rape (x2) and supply of a class B drug.

Ataf Ali, 32, of Bradford. He is charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16 and voyeurism.

Mohammed Fiaz Askar, 32, of Bradford. He is charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16.

Aesan Pervez, 26, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual assault (x3).

Mansoor Akhtar, 23, of Huddersfield. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 (x2) and the supply of a class B drug.

Furqaan Ghafar, 30, of Derby. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16.

Aftab Hussain, 35, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual grooming, sexual assault and sexual activity with a child under 16 (x2).

Talib Saddiq, 29, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 (x2).

Amaar Ali Ditta, 25, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 (x2).

Silkander Malik, 30, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16.

Akbar Aziz Hussain, 29, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 and supply of a class B drug.

Azeem Subhani, 23, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 (x2).

Tahir Mahmood, 42, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 (x3) and sexual assault.

Mohammed Ahmed, 41, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16.

Haaris Ahmed, 31, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 (x3) and supply of a class B drug (x3).

Taukeer Butt, 29, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 (x4).

Arshad Majid, 24, of Shipley. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16.

Christopher Mulqueen-Bennett, 36, of Newport (Gwent). He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16.

Muhammed Asim Janjuha, 33, of Bradford. He is charged with rape.

Haider Ali, 39, of Halifax. He is charged with rape, sexual activity with a child under 16 and causing a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity without consent.

Sikander Ishaq, 30, of Halifax. He is charged with sexual activity with a child under 16.