Lawyer for alleged abuse survivors at Hill End Adolescent Unit welcomes police investigation
Solicitor for alleged survivors of abuse at former adolescent unit welcomes announcement that police are investigating the allegations
Posted on 09 November 2017
A solicitor acting for survivors of alleged abuse at Hill End Adolescent Unit, St Albans, Hertfordshire, has welcomed the announcement by Hertfordshire Constabulary that they are investigating allegations of abuse at the unit.
Hill End was a psychiatric unit for young people ran by the NHS which operated until 1995.
Law firm Leigh Day is acting for 14 people who were housed in the adolescent unit in the 70s, 80s and 90s, and claim they were subjected to abuse including excessive sedation, forced restraint, sexual abuse and physical assault.
Emma Jones, partner in Leigh Day’s human rights team who is representing 14 former Hill End residents, said:
“The allegations we have heard from former residents of Hill End are truly shocking and those that have approached us are desperate to get some form of justice for the abuse they feel they suffered as children.
“We hope that the launch of this police investigation will result in former residents finally getting the justice they deserve and will hold to account anyone found to have abused residents.”
Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed today that they are investigating allegations of abuse which is claimed to have taken place at the adolescent unit between 1969 and its closure in 1995. The police force said the number of possible victims relating to their investigation was “unclear”.
The force is reviewing a number of reports made to them in the past as part of Operation Meadow. They said there had been no new reports made to the police. Anyone with information should contact Hertfordshire police via 101 or through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Hill End was a psychiatric unit for young people ran by the NHS which operated until 1995.
Law firm Leigh Day is acting for 14 people who were housed in the adolescent unit in the 70s, 80s and 90s, and claim they were subjected to abuse including excessive sedation, forced restraint, sexual abuse and physical assault.
Emma Jones, partner in Leigh Day’s human rights team who is representing 14 former Hill End residents, said:
“The allegations we have heard from former residents of Hill End are truly shocking and those that have approached us are desperate to get some form of justice for the abuse they feel they suffered as children.
“We hope that the launch of this police investigation will result in former residents finally getting the justice they deserve and will hold to account anyone found to have abused residents.”
Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed today that they are investigating allegations of abuse which is claimed to have taken place at the adolescent unit between 1969 and its closure in 1995. The police force said the number of possible victims relating to their investigation was “unclear”.
The force is reviewing a number of reports made to them in the past as part of Operation Meadow. They said there had been no new reports made to the police. Anyone with information should contact Hertfordshire police via 101 or through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.