Investigation into sexual assault at nursery in Worcestershire

West Mercia Police has launched an investigation after a young child told their family they had been sexually assaulted while at a children’s nursery in Worcestershire.

Last week, a mother contacted police after her child disclosed they had been assaulted by someone while at one of the three branches of Bright Eyes Nurseries, which are in Bromsgrove, Redditch and Droitwich.

An investigation was launched and this morning five men were arrested and six properties searched, including the three nurseries. They are currently in custody at Worcester and Kidderminster Police Stations.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: “A young child has made a disclosure that we are taking extremely seriously. We also are treating it as sensitively as possible due to the nature of the offence and the very young age of the child involved.

“Our primary concern is their welfare as well as that of the other children who attend the nurseries. We are working with our partner agencies in the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board as part of our response.

“The investigation is at its early stages and five men have been arrested as we endeavour to identify the person responsible for the assault.

“We fully understand how concerning this disclosure will be to those people whose children attend Bright Eyes Nurseries, as well as the wider community.

“All parents and carers who have visited the nurseries today were given a letter explaining, as far as possible, the reasons for our activities, while police staff are available to discuss any immediate worries they may have.”

Anyone with information can contact the non-emergency police number 101 or it can also be passed on anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.