Caldey Abbey safeguards discussed in police abuse probe

Caldey Abbey is popular among tourists visiting the island

Safeguarding practices have come under scrutiny at Caldey Island as part of an investigation into non-recent abuse, police have said.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police met representatives from Caldey Abbey and Pembrokeshire council on Tuesday.

It comes after 11 women claimed they were abused on the island by Father Thaddeus Kotik when they were children. He died in 1992.

Police said it wanted Caldey Abbey to "strengthen their arrangements".

The island is popular with tourists.

• Police confirm sex abuse reports

• The story behind Caldey Abbey

Father Thaddeus Kotik befriended children on the island

Allegations of abuse against Kotik were made to the abbey in 1990, but were not passed on to police.

Officers were told about the abuse in 2014 and 2016, but could not prosecute as the monk had died.

Six women have received out-of-court settlements as compensation for the abuse.

A child sex offender was found at the island in 2011, seven years after trying to evade justice for possessing indecent images of children.

On Tuesday, Temporary Det Supt Ross Evans, from Dyfed-Powys Police, said the force's investigation was ongoing.

He added: "Detectives have today met with Pembrokeshire County Council and Caldey Abbey representatives to discuss the abbey's safeguarding practices.

"We will continue working with Caldey Abbey to strengthen their arrangements."