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Essex Police sorry over child abuse cases
2/12/2015 6:16:43 AM
Yes people another Rotherham. Initial Story: http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/11785980.Police_sorry_over_child_abuse_cases/?ref=mr A police force has apologised and some senior staff put on restrictive duties after "uncovering problems with the effectiveness" of 30 child abuse investigations dating back to the 1960s. The cases of 59 victims, some young children, are being investigated as part of Essex Police's examination of sexual abuse operations over nearly five decades. Rapes are among the serious cases being looked at. One officer within the child abuse unit has been suspended while 11 others have been placed away from the department following the referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) - the largest referral of its kind in the force's history. The watchdog already has two investigations under way into the conduct of five officers from the team, including allegations that an officer fraudulently signed a complainant's statement and an inquiry into the force's response to reports that a girl was allegedly the victim of child sexual exploitation. The more recent investigations include allegations of a lack of honesty or integrity by officers. Deputy Chief Constable Derek Benson apologised publicly to alleged victims today . He said: "I was very disappointed to learn of this and I am now determined that we find out exactly what has happened and rectify things quickly, not least for the victims. "We have contacted the families of those involved in these investigations to let them know what is happening and apologise for the undoubted distress. "If individuals have failed in their duties, then they will be held to account, but we will also look at the possible aspects of why this has happened." Seventeen of the cases are historic and date back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, he said, as well as 13 more recent alleged offences. The matter came to light in November when an urgent review of the child abuse team was ordered amid "concerns in respect of the quality of investigations and the management of cases". An experienced retired detective has now been brought in to review the live investigations being conducted, Mr Benson said. Mr Benson said officers have contacted victims in recent days and, where possible, made personal visits. He said: "The feedback I have had has been that they (victims) understand the reason for the visit and are appreciative of the fact we have written to them. "We will continue to support them." He said resources within the child abuse unit had been "undoubtedly stretched" at times. But he said those wanting to report child abuse should not be put off by today's announcement. He said: "Child abuse is, was and will remain an absolute priority for us." Essex police and crime commissioner Nick Alston said child abuse victims had been "let down". He said: "Nothing is more important in policing than to keep the most vulnerable members of our communities safe. "Where victims have been let down, it is essential that steps are taken urgently to protect them from further harm and to bring those who harmed them to justice. "As police and crime commissioner for Essex, I am clear that victims of crime must be at the heart of our policing and criminal justice system." He said "firm and swift action must be taken" against any officers found to have "failed in their fundamental duties". The IPCC said that in some cases officers in the unit might have failed to arrest suspects, carry out investigations properly and quickly enough and refer suspects to prosecutors. Mary Cunneen, IPCC commissioner for Essex, said: "The concerns regarding investigations carried out by Essex Police's north Cait (child abuse investigation team) are serious and I appreciate this news will be very distressing for victims and their families. "It is vital that our investigations are able to establish what happened in the north Cait investigations and why." A special helpline has been set up for victims of families worried about child abuse investigations by Essex Police. Those concerned can contact 01245 282103. Updated - Police now under investigation: http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/echo/11785776.UPDATED__Essex_Police_under_investigation_for_alleged_mishandling_of_30_cases_of_alleged_child_abuse__12_officers_on_restricted_duties/ UPDATED: Essex Police investigates handling of 30 cases of alleged child abuse: 12 officers on restricted duties Essex Police investigates handling of 30 cases of alleged child abuse: 12 officers on restricted duties ESSEX Police has admitted failing to properly investigate claims of child sex abuse against 59 victims. Scroll down for updates A total of 30 investigations have been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. They include rape allegations and sex abuse against "very young" children. It is believed to be the largest investigation into failings at Essex Police in modern times. 12 officers have been reprimanded including one suspension and 11 who have been moved to other departments and put on restricted duties. All the reports were made between March 2011 and November 2014 and fundamental errors were only picked up when a new person took over the public protection command in September. The errors were made by the North Child Abuse Investigation Team which covers victims from Colchester, Tendring, Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon and Uttlesford. Deputy Chief Constable Derek Benson said there had been failings with "supervision, quality of investigation and timescale". The IPCC will investigate whether some children continued to be abused as a result of the failings to properly investigate the allegations by the force. Norfolk Police has taken over the investigations. The IPCC will investigate the failings. A new team has been installed to investigate future allegations of child sex abuse in Essex. UPDATE 1.45PM: SERIOUS questions need to be asked about what has happened at Essex Police, according to the IPCC commissioner for Essex Mary Cunneen. Allegations include child sex trafficking not being investigated and a police officer fraudulently signing a statement. The IPCC is managing an investigation being conducted by Norfolk and Suffolk Police's joint Professional Standards Department. It follows an internal review by Essex Police. Commissioner Cunneen said the investigation includes whether children were properly safeguarded, why investigations did not progress properly including not arresting suspects and why cases were not referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. There are 28 investigations being looked at together and two others related to this which are looking into the conduct of five officers from the same child abuse investigation team. These investigations include an allegation an Essex police officer fraudulently signed a complainant's statement and an investigation into Essex police's response to reports a girl was allegedly the victim of child sexual exploitation. UPDATE 2PM: THE head of Essex Police has apologised for its failings when investigating child sex abuse. Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh issued a statement after the failings were uncovered as well as a list of what was being done in the future to stop the same thing happening again. He said: "I was very disappointed to learn of this and I am now determined we find out exactly what has happened and to rectify things quickly, not least for the victims. "The force is working hard to put in place new systems to stop this from happening again. "If individuals have failed in their duties then they will be held to account." A special telephone line has been set up for victims worried about how child abuse investigations have been handled. The number is 01245 282103.
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