‘Sex offenders abusing child migrants’

A refugee, left, rests in the sleeping facilities at the arrival centre for refugees near the town on Kirkenes in northern Norway close to the border with Russia in 2015. Picture: AFP/ Jonathan Nackstrand

A refugee, left, rests in the sleeping facilities at the arrival centre for refugees near the town on Kirkenes in northern Norway close to the border with Russia in 2015. Picture: AFP/ Jonathan Nackstrand

Published Feb 10, 2016

Share

Geneva -

Norwegian police say they are investigating several cases of sex offenders allegedly abusing children at asylum-seekers' reception centres.

Axel Wilhelm Due from the National Criminal Investigation Services says the incidents were reported to them during autumn and winter 2015-2016, but didn't provide figures or details except to say that there were “several” cases.

Due said on Tuesday that the incidents included abuse by known sex offenders visiting the reception centres as well as residents of the centres, adding that police were reviewing every alleged incident “very seriously.”

He added that generally there is “low criminal activity in and around the reception centres.”

Last year, more than 31 000 people applied for asylum in Norway of whom 5 300 were unaccompanied minors.

AP

Related Topics: