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| Operation Pallial identifies 37 suspects in child abuse inquiry | Operation Pallial identifies 37 suspects in child abuse inquiry |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An inquiry into allegations of historical child abuse in north Wales care homes has now identified 37 suspects, say detectives. | An inquiry into allegations of historical child abuse in north Wales care homes has now identified 37 suspects, say detectives. |
| Operation Pallial was set up in November 2012 amid concerns previous investigations into alleged abuse in the care system had not been thorough. | Operation Pallial was set up in November 2012 amid concerns previous investigations into alleged abuse in the care system had not been thorough. |
| The BBC's The Wales Report has been given access behind the scenes to the National Crime Agency's inquiry. | The BBC's The Wales Report has been given access behind the scenes to the National Crime Agency's inquiry. |
| A senior official is "confident" more arrests and charges will follow. | A senior official is "confident" more arrests and charges will follow. |
| National Crime Agency director general Keith Bristow said: "We will pursue the truth and we will ensure through the evidence we collect we put the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) in the best position possible to make proper judgments. | National Crime Agency director general Keith Bristow said: "We will pursue the truth and we will ensure through the evidence we collect we put the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) in the best position possible to make proper judgments. |
| "I'm confident there will be further charges and I'm confident there will be further arrests." | "I'm confident there will be further charges and I'm confident there will be further arrests." |
| So far, 255 people have come forward with claims relating to 28 public and private sector homes. | So far, 255 people have come forward with claims relating to 28 public and private sector homes. |
| Operation Pallial is currently looking at offences alleged to have been committed against alleged victims aged between six and 19 from 1953 to 1995. | |
| A total of 37 people have been identified as potential suspects and there have been 19 arrests. | A total of 37 people have been identified as potential suspects and there have been 19 arrests. |
| The investigation began at the request of North Wales Police's chief constable, who wanted to re-examine claims of crimes and to look again at the original police investigations. | The investigation began at the request of North Wales Police's chief constable, who wanted to re-examine claims of crimes and to look again at the original police investigations. |
| In 2000, the Waterhouse inquiry was established to study allegations linked to homes in the former council areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd since 1974. | In 2000, the Waterhouse inquiry was established to study allegations linked to homes in the former council areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd since 1974. |
| 'Impact' | 'Impact' |
| Following Waterhouse, eight people were prosecuted, with seven of them convicted. | Following Waterhouse, eight people were prosecuted, with seven of them convicted. |
| The current inquiry is being coordinated from the National Crime Agency's office in Warrington, Cheshire. | The current inquiry is being coordinated from the National Crime Agency's office in Warrington, Cheshire. |
| A team of 26 officers are working on the investigation and dealing with people coming forward with allegations. | A team of 26 officers are working on the investigation and dealing with people coming forward with allegations. |
| The inquiry also involves other agencies including the Office of the Children's Commissioner for Wales as well as councils' social services departments. | The inquiry also involves other agencies including the Office of the Children's Commissioner for Wales as well as councils' social services departments. |
| Jenny Williams, director of Conwy social services, said: "I think we're much better these days at recognising what we need to do to ensure that we support people where they've suffered abuse and the impact on their lives." | Jenny Williams, director of Conwy social services, said: "I think we're much better these days at recognising what we need to do to ensure that we support people where they've suffered abuse and the impact on their lives." |
| Elaine Coulter, deputy senior investigating officer, explained why some people were now coming forward. | Elaine Coulter, deputy senior investigating officer, explained why some people were now coming forward. |
| She said: "Some people were asked, maybe in the 90s, have they been a victim of crime in a care home and they might have said no, but that time they might have been in a good place with their life. Their partner might not have known, they might have had children and hadn't wanted to talk about it. | She said: "Some people were asked, maybe in the 90s, have they been a victim of crime in a care home and they might have said no, but that time they might have been in a good place with their life. Their partner might not have known, they might have had children and hadn't wanted to talk about it. |
| "As their lives have gone on - now they have wanted to talk about it." | "As their lives have gone on - now they have wanted to talk about it." |
| Keith Gregory, who alleges he was abused as a child while in care in north Wales, said: "I don't want to be sitting here in another 10 years' time like we've been doing for the past 10, 20 years. | Keith Gregory, who alleges he was abused as a child while in care in north Wales, said: "I don't want to be sitting here in another 10 years' time like we've been doing for the past 10, 20 years. |
| "This time it's got to be right and I just hope everyone does their proper job which I think they are doing to be honest with you. | "This time it's got to be right and I just hope everyone does their proper job which I think they are doing to be honest with you. |
| " I just hope we get it sorted and we can all move on with our lives," he said. | " I just hope we get it sorted and we can all move on with our lives," he said. |
| The Wales Report is on BBC One Wales on Wednesday at 22:35 GMT. | The Wales Report is on BBC One Wales on Wednesday at 22:35 GMT. |