Three people in their 80s arrested in child sexual abuse probe
Two men and a woman, all in their 80s, were arrested as part of an investigation into historic child sexual abuse in Bradford.
West Yorkshire Police said the investigation followed reports that eight victims, aged between five and 17 and housed in local authority children’s care homes in Bradford, were subjected to cruelty and sexual abuse in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
The two facilities were Burley at Wharfedale Assessment Center in Station Road and Brunswick Road Children’s care home in Brunswick Road. Both have since closed.
West Yorkshire Police said two men, aged 83 and 86, and an 83-year-old woman were arrested at addresses in Cumbria and Kent on Tuesday.
All three were released on bail pending further investigations.
Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Greenbank, of Bradford District Police, said: “Protecting and safeguarding children is a top priority for West Yorkshire Police and this operation forms part of our ongoing commitment to investigating both current and recent sexual offenses against children.
“The sexual abuse and exploitation of children is a disgusting crime and affects some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“We urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to report it to the police wherever and whenever it occurs. You will be heard and believed.”
“If anyone has any information about incidents in this area we would ask them to notify us via 101 or use the live chat options at westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat quoting 13170106973.”
