Two held over historic sexual abuse in former children’s home

Two men have been arrested over allegations of historic sexual abuse and cruelty against a former resident of a children’s home.

West Midlands Police said the men, both 68, were detained on January 20 after claims a child was abused at the old Wisteria Lodge home in Coventry during the 1980s.

The children’s home, which was owned by Coventry City Council, was closed a few years ago and demolished.

A police spokesman said: “Officers from the public protection unit in Coventry are investigating the report and the men have been questioned on suspicion of child cruelty and sexual assault.

“They are currently on police bail, pending further inquiries.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the allegations and are co-operating fully with the police but as a criminal investigation is under way we cannot comment further.”

West Midlands Police said its inquiry was not connected with the Operation Yewtree investigation being led by the Metropolitan Police, which was launched after it emerged the disgraced TV presenter Jimmy Savile had abused hundreds of children at hospices, hospitals and children’s homes around the country in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Detectives have run the investigation in three strands – allegations involving Savile, those involving Savile and others, and those involving others.