'More victims in NHS child abuse probe' - police

*Warning - this story contains distressing content and references to alleged child abuse

Police investigating historical child abuse at two former NHS mental health units in West Sussex say they have spoken to 12 alleged victims – and believe there are more.

One former patient, aged nine at the time, says he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a member of staff at Larchwood and Colwood in Haywards Heath.

Christopher – not his real name – said the first alleged attack happened in the late 1970s after the staff member lured him outside to pick flowers for his mum.

Read full story

Source: BBC News, 15 December 2025