This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/may/21/police-investigate-abuse-school-cyril-smith

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Police investigate historic abuse claims at school linked to Cyril Smith Police investigate historic abuse claims at school linked to Cyril Smith
(4 months later)
Three former pupils at a residential school linked to the late Sir Cyril Smith have complained they were sexually and physically abused by adults.Three former pupils at a residential school linked to the late Sir Cyril Smith have complained they were sexually and physically abused by adults.
The historic allegations from the 1970s onwards relate to Knowl View school in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where Smith was the chairman of governors.The historic allegations from the 1970s onwards relate to Knowl View school in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where Smith was the chairman of governors.
Last November, Greater Manchester police (GMP) said that Smith had abused young boys in the 1960s in his role as secretary of the Rochdale Hostel for Boys Association.Last November, Greater Manchester police (GMP) said that Smith had abused young boys in the 1960s in his role as secretary of the Rochdale Hostel for Boys Association.
He had been accused of abusing eight youngsters at Cambridge Hostel in the town by spanking and touching them.He had been accused of abusing eight youngsters at Cambridge Hostel in the town by spanking and touching them.
It emerged the force had also received a new complaint against the former Liberal Democrat MP during his time at Knowl View – a council-run school for vulnerable boys, which closed in the 1990s.It emerged the force had also received a new complaint against the former Liberal Democrat MP during his time at Knowl View – a council-run school for vulnerable boys, which closed in the 1990s.
In 2000, GMP carried out a "comprehensive investigation" into abuse claims at the school, which led to the conviction of one man for indecent assault and gross indecency.In 2000, GMP carried out a "comprehensive investigation" into abuse claims at the school, which led to the conviction of one man for indecent assault and gross indecency.
There was insufficient evidence to charge any other individuals, and no specific allegations were made at the time against Smith.There was insufficient evidence to charge any other individuals, and no specific allegations were made at the time against Smith.
GMP are looking at fresh claims of abuse at Knowl View received in the wake of the Cambridge House announcement in November.GMP are looking at fresh claims of abuse at Knowl View received in the wake of the Cambridge House announcement in November.
In a statement, Detective Inspector Caroline Ward said: "Following the publicity surrounding Sir Cyril Smith last year, a small number of people came forward to report physical and sexual abuse which occurred at Knowl View from the 1970s onwards.In a statement, Detective Inspector Caroline Ward said: "Following the publicity surrounding Sir Cyril Smith last year, a small number of people came forward to report physical and sexual abuse which occurred at Knowl View from the 1970s onwards.
"Those allegations relate to physical and sexual abuse that took place between pupils and adults at the school and these complaints are currently being investigated by officers from Greater Manchester police's public protection division."Those allegations relate to physical and sexual abuse that took place between pupils and adults at the school and these complaints are currently being investigated by officers from Greater Manchester police's public protection division.
"The allegations we have received are building up a picture of the regime that was in place at Knowl View at that time, and I would encourage anyone who was a victim of either sexual or physical abuse to come forward and speak to police as the more evidence we have the better the chances of bringing abusers to justice."The allegations we have received are building up a picture of the regime that was in place at Knowl View at that time, and I would encourage anyone who was a victim of either sexual or physical abuse to come forward and speak to police as the more evidence we have the better the chances of bringing abusers to justice.
"We totally understand that for many people they will not want to relive the abuse they suffered, but for those who do want to come forward I want to give you complete confidence that your complaints will be treated seriously and thoroughly investigated.""We totally understand that for many people they will not want to relive the abuse they suffered, but for those who do want to come forward I want to give you complete confidence that your complaints will be treated seriously and thoroughly investigated."
The above allegations are understood not to be against Smith.The above allegations are understood not to be against Smith.
Three separate files regarding Smith's actions at Cambridge House were passed to first the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and the Crown Prosecution Service although on each occasion no prosecution was pursued.Three separate files regarding Smith's actions at Cambridge House were passed to first the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and the Crown Prosecution Service although on each occasion no prosecution was pursued.
Smith, who died in 2010, served as an MP for 20 years before retiring.Smith, who died in 2010, served as an MP for 20 years before retiring.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.