Operation Pallial – SOCA supports investigation into recent allegations of historic abuse
10 December 2012
The Serious Organised Crime Agency is providing officers and staff to support Operation Pallial - an investigation led by Keith Bristow, Director General of the National Crime Agency.
Operation Pallial will examine specific recent allegations of historic abuse of children in care in North Wales and prepare a public report and recommendations by April 2013.
Some of the recent allegations are completely new and have never been reported or investigated previously.
The independent investigation was requested by Mark Polin, Chief Constable of North Wales. It will also review the historic police investigations into such matters, including a forensic review of available evidence.
Operation Pallial is also working with a number of police forces, The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and others with a duty to investigate child abuse or a role in protecting victims.
It will work in an open, honest and accountable manner with all those who have a shared interest in protecting vulnerable people and bringing offenders to justice.
A shared concern of Operation Pallial, North Wales Police, Local Authorities and the Children’s’ Commissioner for Wales is to ensure that appropriate support is provided to all victims, witnesses and anyone who may be identified publicly as a potential offender (whether this is the case or not) during the investigation.
Anyone affected by abuse should not suffer in silence. Contact the police, local council, the Children’s’ Commissioner for Wales, the NSPCC or speak to someone you know personally and trust.
If you are a victim of historic child abuse in North Wales, a witness or have any information, contact the Operation Pallial team:
Call the Incident Room (9am-5pm weekdays, exc. Bank Holidays):
0800 118 1199. A message can be left outside these times.
Email: operationpallial@soca.x.gsi.gov.uk
If you wish to report recent abuse or any other crime, call North Wales Police or your local police force by dialling 101.
In an emergency, if life is at risk or a crime is in progress, dial 999.
Other agencies you can contact:
If you have been a victim of child abuse or you have other relevant information to share you can report this to the NSPCC:
By phone: 0800 389 6176
By text: 88858
By email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Online: www.nspcc.org.uk/reportconcern
Your call will be answered by specially trained NSPCC staff, who will listen to what you have to say and treat this in the strictest confidence. With your consent, this information will then be shared with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).
Callers to the helpline will be greeted by an initial message in Welsh. After a short introduction, the call will revert to English, unless callers wish to continue in Welsh.
Children’s Commissioner for Wales
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales runs an independent advice and support service for children, young people or those who care for them. This is a free and confidential service. The team of Investigations and Advice Officers can either signpost the case onto another organisation that is best placed to help or the Commissioner has legislative powers to look at individual complaints.
You can contact the Children’s Commissioner:
By phone: 0808 801 1000 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm
By text: 80800 and start your text with COM
By email: advice@childcomwales.org.uk
For more information visit: www.childcomwales.org.uk