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| G4S Medway young offenders centre staff suspended over abuse claims | G4S Medway young offenders centre staff suspended over abuse claims |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Seven staff members at a young offenders institution in Kent have been suspended over abuse allegations. | Seven staff members at a young offenders institution in Kent have been suspended over abuse allegations. |
| The staff were working at the Medway Secure Training Centre in Rochester, managed by security firm G4S. | The staff were working at the Medway Secure Training Centre in Rochester, managed by security firm G4S. |
| Paul Cook of G4S said he was "shocked and appalled" and was supporting a police investigation. | Paul Cook of G4S said he was "shocked and appalled" and was supporting a police investigation. |
| The allegations, made following a BBC Panorama undercover investigation, are said to involve unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up. | The allegations, made following a BBC Panorama undercover investigation, are said to involve unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up. |
| 'Inappropriately restraining' | 'Inappropriately restraining' |
| The centre is a 76-bed facility for young offenders aged from 12 to 18. | The centre is a 76-bed facility for young offenders aged from 12 to 18. |
| Mr Cooke, managing director of G4S children's services, told BBC Radio Kent he was informed of the allegations in December and referred them that day to the Medway Child Protection team and the police. | |
| He said the BBC had referred to "staff hurting and inappropriately restraining young people, using foul and abusive language and failing to report... their actions". | He said the BBC had referred to "staff hurting and inappropriately restraining young people, using foul and abusive language and failing to report... their actions". |
| The seven members of staff, named in a Panorama document sent to Mr Cooke, were immediately suspended, he said. | The seven members of staff, named in a Panorama document sent to Mr Cooke, were immediately suspended, he said. |
| He said safeguarding had been stepped up at the centre while the investigation takes place. | He said safeguarding had been stepped up at the centre while the investigation takes place. |
| 'Troubled history' | 'Troubled history' |
| The BBC's home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said G4S had a contract at another secure training centre - Rainsbrook in Northamptonshire - removed after a "very damning" inspection report. | The BBC's home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said G4S had a contract at another secure training centre - Rainsbrook in Northamptonshire - removed after a "very damning" inspection report. |
| However, the contract to run Medway was renewed until 2021. | However, the contract to run Medway was renewed until 2021. |
| He added: "There's been a bit of a troubled history at Medway. It opened in 1998 and there was a riot just a couple of months after it opened. | He added: "There's been a bit of a troubled history at Medway. It opened in 1998 and there was a riot just a couple of months after it opened. |
| "It had a troubled beginning but I think it sort of settled down a bit in recent years. Clearly these allegations have painted it in a different light." | "It had a troubled beginning but I think it sort of settled down a bit in recent years. Clearly these allegations have painted it in a different light." |
| Kent Police said in a statement: "All necessary safeguarding measures have been taken and inquiries are ongoing." | Kent Police said in a statement: "All necessary safeguarding measures have been taken and inquiries are ongoing." |
| The Youth Justice Board has increased its monitoring activity at the centre and the presence of its independent advocacy service, delivered by Barnardo's, Lin Hinnigan, its chief executive said. | The Youth Justice Board has increased its monitoring activity at the centre and the presence of its independent advocacy service, delivered by Barnardo's, Lin Hinnigan, its chief executive said. |
| The Panorama programme will be broadcast on 18 January on BBC 1 at 20:30 GMT. | The Panorama programme will be broadcast on 18 January on BBC 1 at 20:30 GMT. |