TAXPAYERS’ money is a precious commodity, to be spent wisely and with great care.

Heaven knows, there are enough examples where the opposite has happened in our public services.

So a £3m bill for a police investigation deserves public scrutiny and debate, particularly as the case is ongoing and that figure is certain to rise still further.

But before anyone throws their hands up in horror and demands an inquiry, let us remember what that money has been spent on: the investigation of child sex trafficking in Oxford, named Operation Bullfinch.

Given the horrors of the case, the brutality of the offenders and the fact that they are now in jail, would anyone disagree that it is money well spent?

We hope not. And if there are more of these evil men out there, Thames Valley Police should spend whatever it takes to get them off our streets.