Pallial Now Investigating Over 200 Abuse Allegations

Operation Pallial, a National Crime Agency-led investigation into recent allegations of historical abuse in the care system in North Wales, is now investigating allegations from more than 200 people.

The number of people coming forward to support the independent investigation, led by Keith Bristow, Director General of the National Crime Agency, has increased by nearly a 100 since the operation's 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 30 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.

The investigation is led by the National Crime Agency and supported by officers and staff from police forces across England, working alongside local authorities and charities.

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."

It is anticipated that the first victims of abuse, in cases where offenders have been reinvestigated by Operation Pallial but are deceased, will be updated later this year to confirm whether, had the alleged abuser been alive, the information they provided would have led to further investigations with a view to potential criminal charges.

While there can be no prosecution of people who are deceased, every victim will be updated personally about what their account would have meant for the investigation.

(CD/JP)