Further arrest at Rocking Horse nursery over alleged sexual assault

Police investigating unexplained injuries sustained by three children from a Nottingham-based nursery have made an arrest over an alleged sexual assault on a child.

The Rocking Horse Day Nursery, which has been closed down by Ofsted until further notice, is being investigated by police after three children suffered broken bones. Two members of staff have already been arrested. However, this is the first arrest over an allegation of a sexual offence.

The investigation began after a child was taken to hospital in August with an unexplained fracture. The child was referred to the Children's Services Department, in line with child protection procedures, which then notified Nottinghamshire Police. Further enquiries revealed that two more children from the nursery had suffered unexplained fractures this year.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire police said, 'Officers from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit have arrested a third person in connection with the investigation into unexplained injuries suffered by children who have attended the Rocking Horse Nursery in Plumtree. The arrest was made on Friday 11 September and came after detectives received information about an alleged sexual assault on a child at the nursery earlier this year. This is a new line of enquiry and the information was given to detectives last week. Prior to this, neither Nottinghamshire Police nor Ofsted were aware of any alleged sexual offences having taken place at the nursery. The individual concerned has been questioned by detectives and released on police bail pending further enquiries.'

The setting, which also runs an after-school club, is one of eight settings run by the Rocking Horse Day Nurseries Ltd. It is operated by directors Bryn and Jane Orme.
A spokesperson for the nursery said, 'The directors and all staff are co-operating fully with the investigation.'