Former Stockport Boy Scout members are being urged to come forward by detectives who are investigating a report of alleged historic child sex abuse in the mid to late 1990s.
The 1st Bredbury and Woodley Scout Group is under investigation after a 33-year-old man reported sexual abuse from 1996, when he was a scout there.
One man has already been arrested and bailed on suspicion of making and possessing indecent images, as well as indecent assault.
Detective Constable Lucy Shaw, from Greater Manchester Police’s Public Protection Investigation Unit, said: “While of no comfort to the victim in this case, I want to reassure local residents and parents of boys currently at the 1st Bredbury and Woodley Scout group that we are investigating an historic allegation against a person no longer associated with the Scout movement.
“As part of our investigation, we have analysed various electrical items and arrested a man on a number of child sex offences but importantly we need trace individuals that attended the Scout group in the mid to late 90s.”
A search was carried out at a house in Dunkinfield, Tameside in August 2013, after an indecent image of a child was posted on a social media website.
Numerous electrical items were removed and forensically tested.
According to DC Shaw the police are aware that there could be other victims, who are now likely to be in their thirties, who may find it difficult to speak about their experiences at the Scout group after such a prolonged period of silence.
She continued: “What I would say to them, if indeed there are other victims or people with information, is that we have specially trained officers on hand to help and support you and I would encourage you to pick up the phone and talk to us.”
Police want to speak to any other boys who attended the 1st Bredbury and Woodley Scout group in the 1990s.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9314, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.
– If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.
– You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.
– St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.
– Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500.
Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.
– Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246 267.
Image courtesy of Greater Manchester Police, with thanks.
