16 retired officers interviewed in abuse investigation at boy's detention centre

Sixteen retired police officers have been interviewed in connection with an investigation of historic abuse at a boys' detention centre, a freedom of information request has revealed.

More than 700 men have reported physical or sexual abuse by staff at HMP Kirklevington, a former detention centre for teenagers.

Allegations at HMP Kirklevington in Yarm, date from the 1960s to the 1990s, and Cleveland Police launched an investigation in 2014, known as Operation Magnolia 2014.

Now, Cleveland Police have revealed that they have "spoken to 16 retired police officers (those that had not died) from various forces in relation to the transportation of prisoners to Kirklevington Detention Centre."

In response to a Freedom of Information request made by a member of the public, the force said they had not interviewed any officers under caution.

The officers interviewed were working at forces in North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Northumbria, Cleveland, Durham and Lancashire at the relevant times.

This follows allegations that police officers witnessed abuse at the youth detention centre, a former detainee stating police officers were in the room when he was beaten on his arrival at the centre.

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The BBC reported that 17 men who worked a the centre have been arrested.  The men - aged between 50 and 90 - have been released while inquiries continue

One former prison warden was interviewed multiple times after allegations of physical and sexual abuse from 270 men, but has since died.

Cleveland Police have been approached for comment.