Operation Pallial Makes 42nd Arrest Over Historic Sex Abuse In North Wales

Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) today arrested a man from Wells, Avon & Somerset, on suspicion of buggery and indecent assault against a child.

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

The 75 year old man has been taken to a local police station where he will be interviewed by NCA officers.

The offences are alleged to have taken place against a boy, between 1979 and 1980, when he was aged between 11 and 12 years old and in the North Wales care system.

No further information about the suspect or 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 following interview.

Operation Pallial is an independent investigation into past abuse in the care system in North Wales being conducted at the request of the Chief Constable of North Wales, Mark Polin.

Operation Pallial has been contacted by 326 people. There are currently 142 active complaints being investigated. The date range of offences under investigation starts in 1953 and ends in 1995.

The victim age range is from six years old to 19 years old, with the majority of victims being boys. To date, there have been 42 arrests (including those who voluntarily attended and were then interviewed under caution).

15 people (14 men, 1 woman) have been charged. Nine people have already faced trial and a further four trials (of five defendants) are listed to take place later this year or in early 2016.

Operation Pallial was last independently reviewed and praised for its victim focus & partnership approach (by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Feb 2015).