Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Police are investigating claims of historic abuse against three of the UK's largest child care organisations.

Detectives are in the early stages of probing allegations made against people linked to Barnardo's, Quarriers and Aberlour Child Care Trust.

The three organisations are the focus of the latest phase of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

It has heard witnesses give evidence of physical, mental and sexual abuse while in their care.

During opening statements to the inquiry in October, Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardo's all apologised to anyone who may have suffered at their hands.

At that time, Police Scotland said investigations had been carried out after 366 former residents made complaints of physical and sexual abuse against people at the three voluntary organisations in Scotland.

The alleged incidents dated back to the 1930s.

A spokeswoman for Aberlour said: "We are co-operating with the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry."

A Barnardo's Scotland spokeswoman said: "The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was set up to investigate historical abuse in all residential child care establishments in Scotland, run by a number of organisations across the country.

"Barnardo's is one of the organisations supporting the inquiry. Barnardo's is aware of one ongoing investigation.

"As with all inquiries we are assisting the police in an open and transparent way.

"We take every allegation of abuse very seriously, and have robust procedures in place when dealing with cases of historical abuse, which includes liaising fully with the police and offering support to former service users."

A Quarriers spokesman said: "First and foremost we at Quarriers reiterate our full and unequivocal apology to anyone who suffered abuse whilst in our care.

"We would urge anyone who has been abused to report this to Police Scotland and to contact the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry."