Kesgrave Hall School: MP asks for police to re-open investigation

Dan Poulter MP said he had written to Suffolk's chief constable

An MP has asked police to re-open a 1990s investigation into allegations of abuse at a boarding school.

No charges were brought following complaints by former pupils of Kesgrave Hall School near Ipswich, Suffolk, which closed in 1993.

Dan Poulter, the Conservative MP for Central Suffolk & North Ipswich, wrote to the county's force after a national newspaper reported on the case.

Police said anyone who had been a victim should come forward.

The privately-owned school was for children with behavioural difficulties and pupils were placed there by Suffolk County Council.

The building is now a restaurant and hotel.

Mr Poulter, whose constituency includes Kesgrave, said: "I was extremely concerned to hear about the allegations of widespread child abuse of former pupils at Kesgrave Hall School in the 1980s and 1990s.

'Fully investigated'

"I would urge anyone who has been the victim of abuse to come forward and immediately contact Suffolk Police so that their complaints can be properly investigated.

"I have written to Suffolk's Chief Constable, Simon Ash, to urge him to re-open the police investigation."

A police spokesperson said: "Suffolk Police can confirm that in the 1990s a number of complaints were made by former pupils of the Kesgrave Hall boarding school in relation to historic abuse, which were fully investigated.

"Suffolk Police encourage anyone who has been a victim of abuse to contact police and would like to reassure them that their complaints will be taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly."