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Wales child abuse: Operation Pallial inquiry update due Wales child abuse: Operation Pallial inquiry finds evidence of 140 claims
(about 1 hour later)
A report is due to be published later on the progress of an independent investigation set up to examine allegations of historical child abuse in north Wales. An independent investigation examining claims of historical child abuse at children's homes in north Wales has found "significant evidence of systemic and serious sexual and physical abuse".
Operation Pallial was launched last year amid claims an original inquiry uncovered only a fraction of abuse. Investigators in Operation Pallial have found evidence of 140 allegations of historical abuse between 1963 and 1992.
The investigation centres on care homes in the former counties of Clwyd and Gwynedd and could date back decades. They also say 76 new complainants have come forward.
A press conference is being held at North Wales Police HQ at Colwyn Bay. The claims centre on 18 homes involving offences against boys and girls aged between seven and 19.
It is expected to reveal the number of cases in which people have reported allegations of historical abuse, as well as numbers of those reporting abuse for the first time. A news conference is being held at North Wales Police HQ in Colwyn Bay.
Victims have either contacted police directly or raised concerns through the NSPCC or the Children's Commissioner for Wales. A total of 84 individuals have been named - 75 male and nine female. Of these, 16 have been named by more than one complainant.
Operation Pallial is being led by Keith Bristow, director general of the National Crime Agency (NCA). It is believed that 10 of the 16 may be deceased.
'Without fear or favour' 'Absolute sense'
Home Secretary Theresa May ordered this inquiry following a Newsnight report in November, that as well as leading to a Tory peer being falsely accused of paedophilia, alleged that child abuse in north Wales in the 1970s and 80s was far more widespread than had previously been investigated. The report said: "This report reveals that phase one of the investigation has resulted in the collection of significant evidence of systemic and serious sexual and physical abuse of children whilst in care."
Keith Bristow, director general of the National Crime Agency (NCA), has agreed to continue investigations at the request of Mark Polin, the North Wales chief constable.
"I took the decision to ask the director general of the National Crime Agency to investigate these allegations last November conscious that some victims of historic abuse may not have the necessary level of confidence in North Wales Police to report these matters directly to us," Mr Polin said.
"Operation Pallial has now secured accounts from almost all victims who are willing to support an investigation and it makes absolute sense for the officers and staff involved to date to be the core of phase two and to move matters forward as quickly as professionally as possible."
At a news conference, Mr Polin told victims: "It's never too late to report abuse."
He also sent a message to offenders, saying: "If you believe the passage of time will reduce the resolve of Operation Pallial or any police force to identify people who are still alive and to bring them to justice, you are sorely mistaken."
"Offenders quite rightly should have to look over their shoulders for the rest of their lives."
'Prioritising activities'
Det Supt Ian Mulcahey of Merseyside Police is leading the day-to-day investigation.
He said: "These are serious allegations that will be thoroughly investigated.
"We are prioritising our activities to ensure that any level of ongoing risk to the public is minimised."
A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyer has been appointed to assist Operation Pallial.
The CPS lawyer has advised "the priority should be given to the most serious allegations and the prioritisation process has been agreed with them."
Home Secretary Theresa May ordered this inquiry following a Newsnight report in November, that as well as leading to a Tory peer being falsely accused of paedophilia, alleged that child abuse in north Wales in the 1970s and 1980s was far more widespread than had previously been investigated.
The investigation involves police officers and staff, primarily from forces in north-west England, supported by members of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP Centre).The investigation involves police officers and staff, primarily from forces in north-west England, supported by members of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP Centre).
By December it had heard from 105 victims of abuse. Waterhouse inquiry
At the time senior investigating officer Det Supt Ian Mulcahey, of Merseyside Police, said the investigation would "follow the evidence without fear or favour". By December it had heard from 105 victims of alleged abuse.
At the time, Det Supt Mulcahey said the investigation would "follow the evidence without fear or favour".
A separate review by Mrs Justice Macur is investigating the terms of the Waterhouse abuse inquiry, which began in 1996.A separate review by Mrs Justice Macur is investigating the terms of the Waterhouse abuse inquiry, which began in 1996.
It examined the abuse of victims in former north Wales care homes such as Bryn Estyn in Wrexham dating back to the 1970s.It examined the abuse of victims in former north Wales care homes such as Bryn Estyn in Wrexham dating back to the 1970s.
The new inquiry followed a victim's claims that Sir Ronald Waterhouse only uncovered a fraction of the abuse.The new inquiry followed a victim's claims that Sir Ronald Waterhouse only uncovered a fraction of the abuse.
Those claims surfaced in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.Those claims surfaced in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Last week, one man was arrested in Ipswich, Suffolk, as part of Operation Pallial and questioned on suspicion of serious sexual offences against a number of people. He has been bailed until July.Last week, one man was arrested in Ipswich, Suffolk, as part of Operation Pallial and questioned on suspicion of serious sexual offences against a number of people. He has been bailed until July.
Des Mannion, NSPCC national head of service in Wales, said: "This latest investigation is a major step forward investigating claims of wide spread child abuse.
"Many who have been waiting decades for justice and for their voices to be heard have now finally found the courage to come forward and we mustn't fail them this time."