Survivors of sexual exploitation in Rotherham have “no faith” in the police force investigating allegations its own officers took part in abuse in the town, according to solicitors.

The police watchdog has said there is no conflict of interest surrounding South Yorkshire Police (SYP) investigating its own staff after victims of the Rotherham abuse scandal said they were abused by serving officers.

Five women have told the BBC how they were exploited by grooming gangs in the town when they were children and also sexually abused by officers.

According to a special report by the BBC, one girl was raped from the age of 12 in a marked police car and the officer threatened to hand her back to the groomers if she did not do as he said.

SYP is carrying out inquiries into these allegations under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).