Call to victims as new Medomsley investigation opens

Medomsley Detention Centre is at the centre of a new inquiry

A new investigation is under way looking into what authorities knew about "large-scale abuse" being carried out at Medomsley Detention Centre.

Thousands of inmates reported being attacked at the County Durham young offender facility between 1961 and 1987.

Investigators have pledged to do all they can to find "the truth" of what went on at the centre, which housed young men between the ages of 17 and 21.

Those affected are being urged to share their experiences with a specialist team.

'Safe space'

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been commissioned by the justice secretary to carry out an independent investigation.

It comes after a string of criminal convictions linked to abuse at the centre, near Consett, which saw one of the biggest investigations of its kind being carried out.

The new investigation, Operation Deerness, will concentrate on what the authorities knew.

At its official launch on Wednesday, senior investigator Richard Tucker, said: "We are now looking to start working with more people that have been affected by and have knowledge of the abuse that took place.

"We are looking for the truth and it is our goal to fully understand what took place.

"My plea is for more people to come forward and share their experiences with us."

He added a "safe space" would be created and support offered to anyone willing to provide information.

"I am saddened by the experiences of those who have approached us so far and it is my duty to find the truth," he said.

In an open letter to victims, Mr Tucker said his team was working closely with Durham Police to access a "large amount of material" relating to previous investigations into the abuse of detainees.

It said investigators were looking into whether there were opportunities for authorities to have acted or intervened at the time, and what kind of actions were taken.

Anyone willing to share their story with investigators are being asked to make contact.