NCA Makes 18th Operation Pallial Arrest

Officers from the National Crime Agency have today arrested a 76-year-old man from Old Colwyn, North Wales, on suspicion of a number of physical and sexual assaults.

The arrest forms part of Operation Pallial, an investigation into recent allegations of historical sexual abuse in the care system in North Wales, which is led by NCA Director General Keith Bristow.

The offences are alleged to have taken place against seven boys, between 1975 and 1983, when they were aged between 8 and 16 years old.

The man has been taken to a local police station where he will be interviewed by NCA officers.

No further information about the arrest, or the specific nature of the offences being put to him, will be provided. An update will be issued when the man is charged, bailed or released from police custody following interview.

Today’s arrest is the eighteenth conducted by under Operation Pallial. To date, one person has been charged with a large number of serious sexual offences.