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Islam school arrests: Men bailed

Two men have been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and sexual assault at the Islamic School for Girls in Lancaster. Another man has been released without charge.

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No further action after Islamic school arrests

Jamea Al Kauthar school Credit: PA

Lancashire police have said no further action will be taken against three men arrested after an investigation into an Islamic school for girls in Lancaster

Police were called to the Jamea Al Kauthar school to investigate claims of sexual assault and false imprisonment.

Detectives executed a search warrant and arrested the three men earlier this month.

Police have said no further action will be taken as "none of the conduct disclosed ... meets the threshold for criminal prosecution".

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Hotline for concerned parents after sexual abuse claims

Police investigating sexual abuse claims at an Islamic girls' school in Lancaster have set up dedicated phone lines for concerned families, both in the UK and abroad.

Three men were arrested at the Jamea al Kauthar school after an incident was reported to police on Saturday.

The number for parents in the UK is 0800 092 0410 and for those calling from outside the UK call 0207 158 0124.”

“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.

“We are working with partner organisations to ensure the necessary safeguarding measures are in place for all students at the school."

– Superintendent Andy Webster
  1. National

Profile: Jamea al Kauthar school for girls

Specialist female officer are conducting searches of the Jamea al Kauthar school in Lancaster Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

The Jamea al Kauthar school in Lancaster, which is being searched following reports of sexual assault and false imprisonment, is a private boarding school for Islamic girls.

According to its website, Jamea al Kauthar started with 60 girls in September 1996 and presently caters for 440 residential girls between the ages of 11 and 20 from all over the world.

It continues: "We provide an opportunity to study the traditional sciences concurrently with secondary and further education.

"Jamea al Kauthar also offers the 'Tahfeez Ul Quraan' programme [committing the whole quran to memory] and a two year abridged version of the Islamic Teaching programme in the English medium."

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Three arrested at Islamic girls' school in Lancaster

Police have arrested three men on suspicion of sexual assault and false imprisonment within the grounds of an Islamic girls' school in Lancaster.

Police presence at the Jamea Al Kauthar school in Lancashire Credit: ITV Granada

A 40-year-old and 30-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and false imprisonment and a 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment. All three are currently in custody.

The Jamea Al Kauthar school in Lancashire Credit: ITV Granada

Searches are being conducted at the school by female officers.

Police presence at the Jamea Al Kauthar school Credit: ITV Granada

Statement from school after sex assault arrests

Police have arrested three men on suspicion of sexual assault and false imprisonment within the grounds of an Islamic girls' school in Lancaster.

The school, Jamea Al Kauthar, has released a statement:

"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."

– Jamea Al Kauthar school

Lancashire Police statement following sexual assault arrests at school

Police have arrested three men on suspicion of sexual assault and false imprisonment within the grounds of an Islamic girls' school in Lancaster.

Police say they are investigating reports surrounding the welfare of a small group of teenage girls in the grounds of the Islamic School for Girls in Lancaster.

An investigation has been launched after a report was made to police involving concern for the welfare of a small group of teenage girls within the grounds of the Islamic School for Girls in Lancaster.

We are still at the very early stages of the investigation and our aim at the moment is to respond to the concerns raised proportionately, in a measured way and with sensitivity.

Searches at the school are being conducted by specialist, female officers with sensitivity and are being carried out as quickly as possible to ensure minimum impact.

We are working closely with the school and the local authorities to establish the circumstances around exactly what has taken place and we have specialist officers supporting the victims.

– Lancashire Constabulary

Three arrests at Islamic girls' school in Lancaster

Police have arrested three men on suspicion of sexual assault and false imprisonment within the grounds of an Islamic girls' school in Lancaster.

A 40-year-old man from Bolton and a 30-year-old man from Blackburn have been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and false imprisonment and a 53-year-old man from Blackburn has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment.

All are currently in custody.

Searches are being conducted at the school by female officers.

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