Appeal for Jesus Army sexual assault victims

The Jesus Centre, home of the Jesus Fellowship in Northampton

Detectives investigating allegations of historic sexual and physical abuse involving a religious group in Northampton believe there may be more victims yet to come forward.

The alleged incidents date back from the 1970s to the late 1990s and involve members of the Jesus Fellowship, formerly the Jesus Army in Northampton.

Police say allegations also involved non members who visited the premises.

A number of people have already been arrested in connection with the case.

A statement from Northamptonshire Police said the initial complaints had come from various individuals and added that many of the complaints had been referred to them by the current leadership of the Jesus Fellowship.

Police made a fresh appeal from witnesses after the arrests were made last week.

Assistant Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said: "I would like to reassure the public and any other potential victims yet to come forward that we take all these allegations very seriously and they will be investigated with the utmost sensitivity.

"We would always encourage victims and witnesses of sexual offences recent or historic to report these to Northamptonshire Police."