Police close inquiry criticised by MPs

One of the country’s biggest police investigations into historic
abuse in children’s homes is to wind down, just four months after a
group of influential MPs called for an overhaul of investigation
methods used by police in such cases (news, page 6, 7 November
2002).

Established in 1996, Operation Care investigated more than 510 care
workers following allegations of abuse in 106 Merseyside children’s
homes during the 1970s and 1980s.

But it has been criticised for using trawling methods and was cited
in a report by the House of Commons home affairs select committee
in November, which noted that it had resulted in just 67 arrests
and 36 convictions. The report expressed “deep concern” over the
procedures used by police, arguing that it had led to “the over
enthusiastic pursuit” of allegations.

Merseyside Police said that the operation was not being phased out
because of heavy criticisms over the use of trawling methods but
that, with just a few more cases to investigate, it had come to a
natural end.