28 March 2014
Last updated at 21:17
The Durham force said it was "shocked" after getting hundreds
of calls after a BBC programme about sexual and physical abuse was
shown in January.
A spokeswoman said there were now up to 500 victims claiming physical or sexual abuse at the Medomsley juvenile centre.
Two members of staff at the centre were jailed in 2003 and 2005 over the abuse.
Prison officer jailed
Neville Husband was jailed for 12 years in 2003 for abuse
Hundreds
of vulnerable boys at a detention centre may have been abused by a
paedophile ring in the 1970s and 1980s, police fear.
A spokeswoman said there were now up to 500 victims claiming physical or sexual abuse at the Medomsley juvenile centre.
Two members of staff at the centre were jailed in 2003 and 2005 over the abuse.
Prison officer jailed
Durham Police said many former inmates who had been in touch
since the BBC Inside Out programme was shown were now get counselling.
The majority of men - about 340 - claim they were physically assaulted and around 160 said they were sexually abused.
The centre closed in 1988 after the abuse came to light, but has since reopened as a secure training unit.
Neville Husband, who worked at the detention centre as a prison officer, was jailed for 12 years for in 2003 for sexual abuse.
Leslie Johnson, a store man, was sentenced to six years in 2005. Both men have since died.
However, police are investigating if other people were involved in abusing boys at the centre.
A spokeswoman for Durham Police said: "We are now looking at potentially 500 victims linked to Medomsley."
The majority of men - about 340 - claim they were physically assaulted and around 160 said they were sexually abused.
The centre closed in 1988 after the abuse came to light, but has since reopened as a secure training unit.
Neville Husband, who worked at the detention centre as a prison officer, was jailed for 12 years for in 2003 for sexual abuse.
Leslie Johnson, a store man, was sentenced to six years in 2005. Both men have since died.
However, police are investigating if other people were involved in abusing boys at the centre.
A spokeswoman for Durham Police said: "We are now looking at potentially 500 victims linked to Medomsley."
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SourceNotice
Durham Constabulary would like anyone who has suffered abuse or has
information which may assist the enquiry to contact them on 101 or 0345
60 60 365.
A call handler will take the caller’s details which will be referred to the ‘Operation Seabrook’ team. Further contact and investigation will then be carried out by specialist detectives who are highly trained and experienced in dealing with sensitive abuse cases.
The investigation is being lead by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), Det Supt Paul Goundry and a Deputy SIO, Det Chief Insp Brad Howe.
NSPCC FREEPHONE HELPLINE (24 hrs): 0808 800 5000A call handler will take the caller’s details which will be referred to the ‘Operation Seabrook’ team. Further contact and investigation will then be carried out by specialist detectives who are highly trained and experienced in dealing with sensitive abuse cases.
The investigation is being lead by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), Det Supt Paul Goundry and a Deputy SIO, Det Chief Insp Brad Howe.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
The helpline is available for anyone who has concerns about a child or anyone including adults who wish to discuss their own experience of abuse as a child or young person.
Contact can also be made via e mail : help@nspcc.org.uk or by text 88858
Contact can be made anonymously if the caller so wishes.
NAPAC
National Association for People Abused in ChildhoodFreephone (from landline or a Virgin, Orange or 3 mobile) 0800 085 3330.
If you are calling from a mobile provided by O2, Vodafone or T-Mobile an alternative freephone number is 0808 801 0331. This is not a 24 hr service
The Meadows:
The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darlington and Co Durham) 0191 301 8554
The Meadows will accept calls between the hours of 9am-3.30 pm Monday to Friday and can arrange one-to-one counselling sessions and can make referrals to similar centres throughout the UK.
Counselling does not involve discussing what has happened in relation to the assault, it aims to help you work through your feelings to aid the healing process.
Staff at the Meadows will not contact the police without your consent unless there are current concerns in respect of a child or vulnerable adult.
