The chairwoman of the Bristol Somali Forum said 14 men convicted of running a sex ring were criminals regardless of race.

It follows the conviction of fourteen Somali men have been convicted of running an inner city sex ring that involved the abuse, rape and prostitution of teenage British girls, it can be reported for the first time.

Victims as young as 13 were preyed upon, sexually abused and passed around the men's friends for money in Bristol.

Several of the girls were groomed to the extent they believed abuse was part of loving relationships they were having with the defendants.

Muna Abdi said: "There are a lot of cases going on across the country. This case is no different.

"I am hoping people will look at this as a crime and not just a crime for the Somali community. I would love for you to look at it as criminal, not Somali criminal.

"The community is deeply shocked and shaken by the outcome of this case. They are unforgivable acts of cruelty against the most vulnerable members of our community.

"The Muslim communities in Bristol would like to make it absolutely clear we wholeheartedly condemn these dreadful, evil acts."

Mrs Adbdi said it was "everyone's duty" to protect children from becoming victims of sexual exploitation.

Chief Superintendent Julian Moss of Avon and Somerset Police said Operation Brooke had led to further investigations.

Operation Brooke will officially end following sentencing tomorrow but off-shoot inquiries continue.

"In terms of the Avon and Somerset force area we have a number of cases that are ongoing investigations," Mr Moss said.

"At the moment we have nine altogether in the force area. They are of different types of offending that we see."

Mr Moss acknowledged the similarities with cases in Oxford and Rochdale but said the Bristol case did not appear to be historic.

"We haven't seen evidence of a legacy of historical offences," he said.

"We are not seeing the kind of picture we have seen in the other cities that have had child sexual exploitation."

Howard Phillips, senior crown prosecutor from the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, said the abuse could happen to any child.

"They were a very diverse and cosmopolitan group of victims," Mr Phillips said.

He said the men groomed the girls by offering money and gifts such as hair extensions, meals out and club nights.

Hugh Sherriffe, Barnardo's South West & Midlands director, said: "It can happen to anybody and we have to be vigilant and make sure we recognise the signs.

"Please don't think 'it can't happen in my neighbourhood'."