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| Police investigate allegations of sex attack at Islamic girls' school | Police investigate allegations of sex attack at Islamic girls' school |
| (10 days later) | |
| Police have launched an inquiry into alleged sexual assault and false imprisonment at a privately run Islamic school for girls in Lancaster. | Police have launched an inquiry into alleged sexual assault and false imprisonment at a privately run Islamic school for girls in Lancaster. |
| The investigation is centred on an incident that allegedly took place last week within the grounds of the Jamea al-Kauthar school but was only reported to police on Saturday. | The investigation is centred on an incident that allegedly took place last week within the grounds of the Jamea al-Kauthar school but was only reported to police on Saturday. |
| Officers are trying to ascertain whether the small number of teenage girls concerned are former or existing pupils. | Officers are trying to ascertain whether the small number of teenage girls concerned are former or existing pupils. |
| Three men who were on the premises when police attended on Sunday evening have been arrested in connection with the investigation. A 40-year-old from Bolton and a 30-year-old from Blackburn were held on suspicion of sexual assault and false imprisonment and released on police bail pending further inquiries. A 53-year-old from Blackburn arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment has been released without charge. | Three men who were on the premises when police attended on Sunday evening have been arrested in connection with the investigation. A 40-year-old from Bolton and a 30-year-old from Blackburn were held on suspicion of sexual assault and false imprisonment and released on police bail pending further inquiries. A 53-year-old from Blackburn arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment has been released without charge. |
| Supt Andy Webster of Lancashire police said: "We are still at the very early stages of what is a complex investigation. We have a team of specialist detectives working to establish the full circumstances around exactly what has happened, as well as offering support to those involved. | Supt Andy Webster of Lancashire police said: "We are still at the very early stages of what is a complex investigation. We have a team of specialist detectives working to establish the full circumstances around exactly what has happened, as well as offering support to those involved. |
| "Our aim at this stage is to respond to the concerns raised proportionately and with sensitivity, and in a way that we can minimise the impact on the school and the surrounding local community. | "Our aim at this stage is to respond to the concerns raised proportionately and with sensitivity, and in a way that we can minimise the impact on the school and the surrounding local community. |
| "We are working with partner organisations to ensure the necessary safeguarding measures are in place for all students at the school. | "We are working with partner organisations to ensure the necessary safeguarding measures are in place for all students at the school. |
| "We understand there will be concerned families – both in the UK and abroad – and in order to make it easier for them to contact us, a dedicated phone line has been set up. | "We understand there will be concerned families – both in the UK and abroad – and in order to make it easier for them to contact us, a dedicated phone line has been set up. |
| "The number for parents in the UK is 0800 092 0410 and for those calling from outside the UK call 020 7158 0124." | "The number for parents in the UK is 0800 092 0410 and for those calling from outside the UK call 020 7158 0124." |
| Police said searches had been conducted by specialist female officers as quickly possible to minimise the impact on the school and the local community. | Police said searches had been conducted by specialist female officers as quickly possible to minimise the impact on the school and the local community. |
| The independent Jamea al-Kauthar school opened in 1996 in a listed building set in its own grounds. It caters for 410 residential girls aged 11 to 20 from all over the world. | The independent Jamea al-Kauthar school opened in 1996 in a listed building set in its own grounds. It caters for 410 residential girls aged 11 to 20 from all over the world. |
| Last year, more than 90% of the school's year 11 pupils attained five or more A*-C grades in their GCSEs for the fifth year running. | Last year, more than 90% of the school's year 11 pupils attained five or more A*-C grades in their GCSEs for the fifth year running. |
| In 2010, Ofsted rated the school's provision for students' overall welfare, health and safety as "outstanding" – the highest rating. | In 2010, Ofsted rated the school's provision for students' overall welfare, health and safety as "outstanding" – the highest rating. |
| The report said: "Parents express entirely positive views about the care the school provides, with one parent commenting: 'If I had 10 daughters, I would send them all to Jamea al-Kauthar.' Students share this view and say they feel exceptionally safe within the school premises. There is very little bullying." | The report said: "Parents express entirely positive views about the care the school provides, with one parent commenting: 'If I had 10 daughters, I would send them all to Jamea al-Kauthar.' Students share this view and say they feel exceptionally safe within the school premises. There is very little bullying." |
| A statement posted on Jamea al-Kauthar's website said: "The school is aware of the allegations that have been made and at the present moment the school is fully co-operating with the police with their investigations into the matter. | A statement posted on Jamea al-Kauthar's website said: "The school is aware of the allegations that have been made and at the present moment the school is fully co-operating with the police with their investigations into the matter. |
| "The school will publish a statement of any details it receives, once this has been received. We expect the matter to be cleared up soon." | "The school will publish a statement of any details it receives, once this has been received. We expect the matter to be cleared up soon." |
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