Police recruits ‘were abused by surgeon’

SEXUAL abuse allegations against a former police surgeon are being investigated after alleged victims came forward years later.

Dr Reg Bunting, who died in 2013, allegedly carried out abuse at Avon and Somerset Police in the 1980s and 1990s.

The force said it “immediately” referred the claims to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and is now compiling a report.

Detective Superintendent Rachel Williams said: “A fter victims came forward with the first allegations we made an immediate referral to the IPCC to seek their advice.

“They asked us to do further work which is now almost complete and our report will be going back to the IPCC very shortly for their consideration about next steps.

“This was a very brave decision by the victims to come forward after so many years, and we’re doing all we can to support and safeguard them with counselling and one to one support from our independent sexual violence advisors and our sexual assault referral centre.”

Eleven alleged victims have reportedly come forward to give statements concerning Dr Bunting.

It is said the allegations relate to cadets and new recruits subjected to abuse in routine examinations.