When we say never again' we have to mean it.let that be her legacy

AT least 15 chances to save Sara Sharif were missed before her broken and battered body was found at her family home.

- TOM PETTIFOR

Social services had been involved with the 10-year-old's family all of her short life.

Her father Urfan Sharif was arrested at least three times for violence against women and her school raised concerns about facial bruises. But an investigation was closed after six days.

After social workers asked teachers to monitor the situation, Sharif removed Sara from school. Five months later, she was dead.

Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza called for change in the wake of the tragedy, saying: "Her death is a heartbreaking reminder of the weaknesses in our child protection system.

"We have been here before and each time we said 'never again'. We can have no more reviews, no more strategies, no more debate. When we say 'never again', we have to mean it. Let that be Sara's legacy."