Simon Danczuk welcomes progress on Knowl View investigation

Simon Danczuk

Rochdale’s MP Simon Danczuk has welcomed news that 14 suspects have been questioned by Greater Manchester Police as part of their investigation into child abuse at Knowl View School between 1969 and 1990.

The latest development has seen the men, aged between 35 and 66, interviewed under caution over physical and sexual abuse allegations at the Rochdale school, which closed in 1994.

Mr Danczuk said the news would encourage victims who want to see their abusers brought to justice.

“This is exactly what the victims want,” he said, “and it suggests that the police investigation is finally moving forward. I first raised this awful case with police in 2012 and I hope today’s development will now lead on to charges being made against the perpetrators.”

Eighteen more victims have come forward in recent months, as the police investigation into decades of abuse at the school widens.

Among the suspects include the late Rochdale MP, Cyril Smith, who has been named by a number of victims as being a serial abuser at the school.

One victim of abuse at the school told Radio 4’s World at One programme this week that although his abuse happened over 40 years ago, he vividly recalls it every day.