Police uncover more than 50 abuse victims at care homes
POLICE investigating abuse claims at a children’s care home have uncovered more than 50 alleged victims
An inquiry into Beechwood Community House, Mapperley, began in 2011, with six people coming forward initially.
But police are now talking to 56 who say they were abused.
The investigation, named Operation Daybreak, has also been widened to include four other homes. The claims, of physical or sexual abuse, date from 1973 to 2000.
If proven, they would amount to the biggest scandal in the history of care in Notts.
One alleged victim of sexual abuse at Beechwood, James Cleverley, of Netherfield, agreed to waive his right to anonymity, telling the Post: “It messed up my childhood.
“I want people to know that’s what happened in these places.”
Solicitors say they believe the 56 people being spoken to by police are the tip of the iceberg.
Chris Ratcliffe, of Uppal Taylor Solicitors, West Bridgford said he was aware of 79 people taking civil court action.
Some of these may be among the 56 police know about.
He said: “We literally had people ringing us up saying ‘I’d forgotten about this place’. “They had not thought about it for 40 years and all the memories had come flooding back.”
Police are also looking at allegations of sexual or physical abuse at Bracken House in Thames Street, Bulwell, Ranskill Gardens, in Bestwood, Wood Nook, in Beechdale Road, Beechdale, Risley Hall, Derbyshire and Also Orston house, 3rd Ave Sherwood Rise
Twelve people have been questioned. Five were arrested but later released with no further action.
Operation Daybreak, which has been running for two years, is being led by Detective Inspector Yvonne Dales.
She said: “This is a thorough but complicated and sensitive investigation and the allegations are historic, in some cases relating to events which are said to have taken place nearly 30 years ago.
“We have experienced officers on the investigation team who are working hard on this case which presents many challenges, such as the difficulties around obtaining forensic and corroborative evidence, along with the fact that some of the alleged perpetrators have since died.”
Police said they were unable to estimate when the investigation would finish
You must be logged in to post a comment.