§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been(a) charged and (b) arrested in connection with operation CARE (Merseyside); and how many individuals to date have claimed to have been abused and over what period of time. [90696]
§ Mr. BoatengOperation CARE, which commenced in April 1996, is a joint investigation between Merseyside Police and Social Services Departments into mostly historical allegations of sexual and physical abuse upon children in care establishments and voluntary care settings.
The table gives an overview of the current situation:
Period under investigation 1960–date Persons arrested 66 Persons convicted 20 Persons acquitted after trial 2 Persons arrested and no further action 5 Persons charged and awaiting trial 14 Persons on police bail 25 Separate complaints received 759 Offenders/suspects 358