Private nursery shut down as cops identify possible sex assault victims after arresting male 'teenage worker'
Law enforcement in Devon has launched a full-fledged investigation into multiple allegations of sexual abuse at a local nursery.
On July 29, police arrested a male employee at the Jack and Jill Childcare nursery in Torquay after a child told their parents of an alleged incident at the daycare.
Authorities have since scoured through more than 250 hours of CCTV footage from the nursery and were able to identify a series of potential victims aged between two and five.
Calling it a "major investigation, officers from Devon and Cornwall Police said they have contacted around 100 families whose children attended the nursery. However, they have emphasized that not all are potential victims of sexual abuse.
The education regulator in Ofsted has now shut down the nursery on October 24 after a number of unannounced visits following the arrest.
The male suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is currently being interrogated over multiple sexual offenses and is under strict bail conditions until 22 November.
Police received multiple calls on a helpline they set up for families who had children at the nursery.
"Specialist officers from the Public Protection Unit and our colleagues from social services have visited the parents and guardians of those children we believe may be victims," Acting Detective Chief Inspector James Stock, of the Public Protection Unit, revealed. "They will continue to receive multi-agency support in the coming days, weeks and months.
"The contact appears to be limited to within the nursery setting and we do not believe that any other member of staff had knowledge of these matters," he continued. "These appear to be the actions of a lone individual, and the offenses do not involve the taking or distributing of any images."
Meanwhile, Nancy Meehan, deputy director from Torbay Children's Services, said they were working "closely" with the authorities.
"We take safeguarding children incredibly seriously, and we are working closely with partners including the police in relation to this matter," she said. "A helpline has been set up by the Torbay Safeguarding Children's Partnership, and is hosted by the local authority for anyone who may have concerns."
The helpline number is 01803 208 820 and is open between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.