Police drop Kids Company 'sex abuse' investigation

Scotland Yard has dropped an investigation into report of abuse linked to the charity founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh
PA
Tom Marshall28 January 2016
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A police investigation into allegations of physical and sexual abuse linked to failed charity Kids Company has been dropped.

Detectives found no evidence to justify any charges after studying 32 pieces of information or intelligence, Scotland Yard announced.

A spokesman for the Met added: "Nor have we identified any failings by the charity in respect of them carrying out their duty to safeguard children or vulnerable adults."

The Met launched an inquiry into reports of alleged physical and sexual abuse in July "following the receipt of information from a journalist".

Detectives from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command identified 32 pieces of information or intelligence relating to a period between 2008 and 2015.

These reports concerned allegations or information relating to children and staff based at the charity, the force said, adding: "However, the majority were third-party reports which were vague in detail."

Officers carried out "detailed and extensive inquiries" to establish the veracity of the information, speaking to a number of individuals connected to the charity. No-one was arrested or interviewed under caution in connection with the investigation.

An incident which had previously been investigated by police and resulted in a "male adult service user" of the charity receiving a three-month suspended sentence for assaulting a member of staff was included within the reports.

The Met spokesman added: "Aside from this case, to date the Met has identified no evidence of criminality within the 32 reports which would reach the threshold to justify a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service.

"Nor have we identified any failings by the charity in respect of them carrying out their duty to safeguard children or vulnerable adults.

"As such, the Met investigation into potential physical and sexual abuse has now concluded, although, as with any investigation, should any further information come to light it will be fully considered."

Kids Company is also the subject of an investigation by the Charity Commission.

Police said a referral process is in place with the commission should any evidence of criminality be revealed as a result of their inquiries, adding that there is currently no investigation by the Met into allegations of fraud against the charity.

Founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh in 1996 to offer counselling, support and art therapy to disadvantaged youngsters in Lambeth and Southwark, Kids Company was widely praised for its innovative approach and received a total of at least £42 million from central government and £4 million from local authorities and lottery bodies.

However, it folded amid a storm of controversy in August 2015 - just six days after receiving a £3 million grant in a final bid to keep it afloat.

In December, Alan Yentob, who was chairman of trustees at the charity, stepped down as BBC creative director after facing intense scrutiny during the episode.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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