A key whistleblower witness and victim of child abuse at Nottingham Beechwood children's home has been effectively missing since sending a text to UK Column which read: “Call urgently. Something has happened. I don't trust the police. I might be locked up tomorrow…” It was sent at 21:22 on Wednesday 9th July 2014 and UK Column has been searching for the witness ever since.
The witnesses reported to us rape, intimidation, beatings, physical and mental intimidation as just some of the abuse suffered by the vulnerable children of Beachwood, while some young people also witnessed “suicides” where children “fell” out of upper windows. Other witnesses report that the bodies of children were hidden at the site.
Concerned for the physical safety of this extremely vulnerable witness, who has already alleged a police cover-up and is fearful of the police, we have contacted Nottinghamshire Police via their 101 telephone number.
After speaking with a civilian telephone operator and expressing serious concerns about the safety of the witness, Nottingham Police were asked if the witness had been arrested and was safe. In a brief call back, the operator said the police officer had said the witness was safe. Unconvinced by the vague reply, we asked for the officer's name and shoulder number. The operator said she didn't know, and also said she didn't know whether the witness had been deemed “safe” at home, had been arrested and was “safe” in custody, or was in a psychiatric hospital.
UK Column has sought an explanation from the officer who provided his personal police number and was promised that such an officer would call them. However, no such call came overnight. Our biggest concern is that witnesses are being isolated in psychiatric wards and silenced.
In the early hours of Friday 11th July 2014, UK Column again contacted Nottingham Police through their media team. Again seeking information on the whereabouts and safety of witnesses, Richard from the media team simply confirmed that the witnesses were safe, but would not provide details of their whereabouts, whether they had been arrested, details of the officer or official telephone number. Richard also did not appear to understand why it would be in the public interest for the police to withhold full and appropriate details about the whereabouts and safety of vulnerable witnesses to child abuse.
UK Column has also raised concerns for the individual's safety with John Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw and Nottingham. Mr Mann has recently spoken out about child abuse in Westminster, saying “there has been a cover-up over the Nottingham child abuse inquiry”. He also reported in a Twitter post:
On Monday Nottingham Crown Court heard the Beechwood children's home abuse case. No charges were laid against 100 victims. The county council denies responsibility.
The post further reads:
There is still no answer as to how many child abuse files Notts County Council has destroyed. Notts County Council has paid £9,000 to a child abuse victim but has not admitted liability.
The BBC Nottingham news team, which previously reported on the horrific child abuse at Beechwood, have also been made aware by the UK Column of concerns for the safety of witnesses, given increasing reports of police failure to investigate paedophiles across the UK, as well as reports by witnesses of police harassment and threats to silence them.
To date, Nottingham City and Nottingham County Council, which have joint responsibility for the closed Beechwood facility, have paid around £250,000 in compensation to 17 victims, which is believed to have included gag orders. Nottingham Police previously told UK Column that more than 92 victims of Beechwood abuse have come forward, but that no murder investigations are being carried out.
“Again, due to the sensitivity of this case we are extremely concerned for the safety of this witness. “We urge members of the public to contact Nottingham Police via the local 101 number with any witnesses to Beechwood child abuse and ask for any further information.
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Inspector Chris Eyre
