Appalling abuse and institutional failures to protect children in youth custodial institutions have been laid bear after some of the findings of an independent inquiry into child sex abuse were published today.

The report examines evidence across the youth secure estate in England and Wales, including Medway Secure Training Centre, heard during two weeks of public hearings last July.

Focusing on the period from 2009 to 2017, the report shows that children held in young offender institutions and secure training centres are still not safe from sexual abuse.

Professor Alexis Jay talks about the publication of the Children in Custodial Institutions report

It describes how it is alleged a female member of staff committed sex acts on children at Medway Secure Training Centre in 2015.

The inquiry discovered many more complaints of child sexual abuse in custody have been made than official figures suggest.

Information obtained directly from the institutions and authorities showed there were more than 1,000 incidents of alleged sexual abuse reported at centres across England and Wales from 2009 to 2017.

Professor Alexis Jay, chair of the inquiry, said: “The harrowing accounts of non-recent child sexual abuse within custodial institutions were some of the worst cases this inquiry has heard.

"But I am also deeply disturbed by the continuing problem of child sexual abuse in these institutions over the last decade.

"It is clear these children, who are some of the most vulnerable in society, are still at risk of sexual abuse.

"I hope our report and recommendations can help protect them better in future.”

The report comes weeks after a serious case review published its report into failings at Medway Secure Training Centre (STC), in Sir Evelyn Road, Rochester.

It concluded the abuse of children at the centre, run by G4S, could have been stopped if procedures had been followed effectively.

Today's child sex abuse inquiry report reveals how at Medway STC, a male trainee reported that another detainee had pulled a knife on him, tried to kiss him and carried out a sex attack on him before hitting him three or four times in October 2015.

He said it had happened in a classroom where there was no CCTV. As a result of the incident, he suffered from pain when he went to the toilet. He complained about not seeing a doctor.

In April 2016, a 16-year-old trainee contacted police and described a male member of staff touching him in the groin area.

An allegation was made in April 2016 that a female member of staff had formed an inappropriately close relationship with a trainee.

Another person had said: “He follows her around like a puppy. They sit on the sofa. It appears like something is occurring. It’s uncomfortable to watch. It looked like a physical interaction.”

It was reported in April 2016 that a female member of staff had committed sex acts on children there.

According to an allegation made in April 2016, a member of staff overheard a child tell another child he had received a love bite to his chest from a member of staff.

The inquiry said that for much of the period under investigation, custodial institutions for children have been very poorly resourced.

Staff turnover ran at unacceptable levels in youth offender institutions and STCs, with low morale and inadequate training, including safeguarding training.

In 2016, the outsourced contract for operating Medway STC had to be taken back into government control.

Few of the recommendations contained in inspection reports of YOIs and STCs have been achieved, the report said.

It added there is little doubt that the service was in crisis towards the end of the period under investigation.

G4S managing director of custodial & detention services Jerry Petherick said: "The well-being of the young people in our care is our highest priority.

"The lessons learned from incidents described in the report of the inquiry have been at the forefront of our management of Oakhill Secure Training Centre in Milton Keynes, where Ofsted inspectors recently noted good work around continuity of care, and education.

"We take our reporting responsibilities as an organisation, which cares for some of the most vulnerable people, very seriously.

"We have clear policies and processes in place to ensure we report accurate and appropriate information.

"We provide support, guidance and training to all our staff to ensure we meet the standards set by our customer and ourselves for reporting incidents.

"An HMIP report for HM YOI Parc published this week found that violence is on a consistent downward trajectory and few boys reported feeling unsafe and the unit was commended by inspectors for its 'good relationships’ and ‘strong leadership'.

"G4S has fully supported the inquiry carried out by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse."