Jack and Jill Childcare nursery in Torquay is at the centre of a police investigation into child sex abuse (Picture: PA)
By Ross McGuinness
Police have contacted more than 100 families over alleged sexual abuse at a children’s nursery.
A male teenage worker has been arrested on suspicion of sex offences at Jack and Jill Childcare in Torquay, Devon, which has since been closed. Detectives have scoured hundreds of hours of CCTV from the nursery and identified children as young as two as potential victims. He was held after allegations of sexual assault were made in July, police said. He has been released on police bail until November 22.
The teenage male employee was held after allegations of sexual assault were made in July. Devon and Cornwall Police immediately launched an inquiry with the suspect being arrested and released under police investigation while inquiries continue.
Bail conditions exclude the teenager from the immediate vicinity of the nursery and police said he had since left the Devon and Cornwall force area. Detectives have contacted over 100 families whose children would have attended the nursery during the investigation period. It is understood about a dozen families may have been directly affected.
After the inquiry was launched, police uncovered “a number of concerns around safeguarding matters” and Ofsted suspended the nursery’s licence on October 24.
Acting Detective Chief Inspector James Stock said: “On July 29, police received an allegation of a serious sexual assault at Jack and Jill Childcare in Torquay. “A suspect was arrested on the same date and later released on police bail with strict conditions. “As part of this, over 250 hours of CCTV from within Jack and Jill Childcare have been reviewed.
“As a result of CCTV inquiries, a number of children aged two years and over have been identified as potential victims of further contact offences. “We have now contacted all parents and guardians of children who attended Jack and Jill Childcare in relation to our investigation.”Specialist officers from the public protection unit and our colleagues from social services have visited the parents and guardians of those children we believe may be victims.
“They will continue to receive multi-agency support in the coming days, weeks and months. “The contact appears to be limited to within the nursery setting over a limited period of time and are the actions of one individual. We do not believe that any other member of staff had knowledge of these matters.
“These appear to be the actions of a lone individual and the offences do not involve the taking or distributing of any images.” Mr Stock added: “I can provide reassurance that the individual concerned was immediately removed from the setting and given strict bail conditions as part of their release from police custody.
“They have since been moved out of the force area whilst the investigation continues. “Following further investigation, a number of concerns around safeguarding matters were raised by the police to partner agencies.
“Ofsted subsequently made the decision to suspend the licence of the nursery whilst they further investigate those concerns.” Nancy Meehan, deputy director of children’s services at Torbay Council, said: “We take safeguarding children incredibly seriously and we are working closely with partners including the police in relation to this matter.”
An Ofsted spokesman said: “Jack and Jill Childcare is suspended. All parents of children who attend the provider have been informed.”
Source: Yahoo! News