More People Come Forward in North Wales Care Home Investigation

6 November 2013, 13:16 | Updated: 6 November 2013, 13:22

More than 200 people have now spoken to an investigation into allegations of historical sex abuse in North Wales care homes.

The number of people coming forward to support Operation Pallial has increased by nearly a 100 since the operation Public Report on Progress in April.

Since the investigation began a year ago, a total of 235 people have contacted the Operation Pallial team, of whom 204 have indicated that they are willing and able to support the investigation. The investigation continues to make good progress, with over 97% of complainants already having been video interviewed by specially trained officers.

Pallial has made a total of 14 arrests to date and one person has been charged with more than thirty serious sexual offences. The 13 other individuals arrested have all been bailed while enquiries continue.

Operation Pallial has been given the names or part names of around 100 alleged offenders, who are all subject to further investigation at this time, including 24 who are believed to have died. Even in these cases, information about them will be investigated by Pallial in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service in order that victims can be updated.

Ian Mulcahey, the Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Pallial said: "Operation Pallial is currently pursuing a large number of active lines of enquiry, working closely with police forces across the country and agencies and charities that provide support to victims of crime. Those who have come forward to report abuse in North Wales now live across England, Wales and Scotland, and many are receiving on-going support and counseling as we work hard to bring offenders to justice".