Police launch probe into Kids Company

The Metropolitan Police said it has launched an inquiry into the children’s charity, but has not given precise details of what it describes as “a number of allegations”.
 
News of the investigation comes just weeks after the head of Kids Company, Camila Batmanghelidjh, announced she would be stepping down in a few months' time, amid a row with the government over funding.
 
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said the investigation is being led by officers from the complex case team of the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command.
 
Kids Company said the safety and security of the children and young people it supports is the charity's first priority.
 
“The organisation operates robust policies and procedures that ensure all Kids Company's clients are protected and that staff work safely with clients at all times,” a statement issued by the charity said.
 
It added that its policies and procedures are externally reviewed regularly by expert consultants and are governed by a committee made up of senior clinicians and representatives from the board of trustees.
 
“All allegations of criminal behaviour regarding Kids Company employees and clients are immediately reported to the police,” the statement said.
 
The announcement at the beginning of July that Batmanghelidjh will stand aside followed an investigation by BBC Newsnight and Buzzfeed that claimed the Cabinet Office had concerns about the charity's ability to run itself and was withholding £3m in funding.