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Met police launch inquiry into Kids Company over child abuse claims Met police launch inquiry into Kids Company over child abuse claims
(35 minutes later)
Kids Company, one of Britain’s most high-profile children’s charities, is being investigated by the Metropolitan police over allegations involving child abuse and sexual exploitation.Kids Company, one of Britain’s most high-profile children’s charities, is being investigated by the Metropolitan police over allegations involving child abuse and sexual exploitation.
The investigation into the charity, which began on Thursday, is being led by the Met’s sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command.The investigation into the charity, which began on Thursday, is being led by the Met’s sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command.
Camila Batmanghelidjh, Kids Company’s founder, announced her resignation from the charity earlier this month with a blistering attack on politicians and austerity policies.Camila Batmanghelidjh, Kids Company’s founder, announced her resignation from the charity earlier this month with a blistering attack on politicians and austerity policies.
She claimed official sources were briefing the media against the charity in an attempt to discredit her.She claimed official sources were briefing the media against the charity in an attempt to discredit her.
Kids Company was set up nearly 20 years ago. Batmanghelidjh has helped raise £150m in donations for its work with disadvantaged children, and won the support of celebrities and prime ministers.
But it has been a traumatic past few months for the charity after the government announced it would no longer provide £5m annual grant funding after this year. It is in negotiations with the Cabinet Office over the details of a one-off £3m payment which would enable it to restructure, resulting in the likely loss of hundreds of jobs.
Batmanghelidjh is to step down as chief executive of the charity in the next few months, though she will stay as a fundraiser and figurehead. The charity’s chairman, BBC executive Alan Yentob, is also likely to resign.
Three Kids Company directors quit earlier this year, amid what Batmanghelidjh said were “conditions of extreme stress” caused by funding difficulties at the charity. Batmanghelidjh admitted it very nearly went bust earlier this year but was given a lifeline after well-known artists including Anthony Gormley and Tracey Emin donated works to raise money.
Kids Company operates an intensive therapeutic model for working with maltreated youngsters, many of whom have referred themselves for treatment after slipping through the gaps of mainstream services. Many have experienced sexual abuse, violence, addiction, mental illness and family instability.
The charity issued a statement in which it said: “Kids Company is cooperating fully with the police to assist the investigation into what it understands to be historical but serious allegations but has no further substantive information to date.
“Kids Company’s first priority is the safety and security of all the children, young people and adults we support and protect. The organisation operates robust policies and procedures that ensure all Kids Company’s clients are protected and that staff work safely with clients at all times.
“Kids Company’s policies and procedures are externally reviewed regularly by expert consultants and are governed by a risk sub-committee comprised of senior clinicians and representatives from the board of trustees.
“All allegations of criminal behaviour regarding Kids Company employees and clients are immediately reported to the police. The safety, security and wellbeing of the children, young people and adults we support is our first priority and it is this imperative that this will guide our response to the allegations once further information has been disclosed by the police.
A Scotland Yard statement said: “The Metropolitan police service (MPS) has today, Thursday 30 July, commenced an investigation into a number of allegations of crime involving a children’s charity.A Scotland Yard statement said: “The Metropolitan police service (MPS) has today, Thursday 30 July, commenced an investigation into a number of allegations of crime involving a children’s charity.
“The investigation is being led by officers from the complex case team of the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command.”“The investigation is being led by officers from the complex case team of the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command.”