POLICE investigating allegations of child sex abuse carried out a series of raids in Hampshire this morning.

Officers involved in Operation Crossbow targeted 12 homes in the New Milton area, plus a property outside the county.

The simultaneous raids were carried out at 7am following a lengthy investigation by ten detectives working full-time on the case.

Officers arrested a total of 12 people, who were taken to three separate police stations in the county for questioning.

The allegations relate to sexual and physical abuse said to have been carried out on male and female children in New Milton in the 1970s and 1980s.

A police spokesman said: "A number of people are alleged to have been the victims of violence and sexual abuse at different stages in their lives, from when they were very young through to adolescence.

"The abuse is alleged to have been carried out by people who were known to their victims."

Police have been investigating the allegations since July this year, but officers still need to hear from any witnesses or victims who have not yet come forward.

Some of this morning's raids took place on the North Milton Estate. The arrest outside the county was in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

A mobile police station is now in place on the estate, in the Nedderman Centre car park, in Marryat Road, and will remain in place for 48 hours.

A special room, staffed by a police officer, will be set aside at New Milton Town Hall for anyone who does not wish to visit a police station in connection with the inquiry.

Leaflets urging people to come forward will be distributed to homes in several streets on the estate.

8:44am Thursday 1st November 2007

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