A MAJOR police and social services probe has been launched following fresh allegations of child abuse at a former church-run boy's home in East Yorkshire.

Detectives from Humberside Police and social workers from East Riding of Yorkshire Council are investigating claims of abuse made by former residents of the St William's Community Home in Market Weighton - an approved school for boys with emotional and behavioural problems, which closed in 1992 after financial difficulties.

The home, which was run by the Catholic Child Welfare Society, Middlesbrough Diocese, and the Oxford-based Roman Catholic De La Salle Order of Christian Brothers, was plunged into controversy in 1993 when former principal Brother James Carragher was jailed for seven years for committing sex offences against nine boys aged 13 to 16 between 1972 and 1980. He served four years.

Also in 1993, Catholic priest Antony McCallen, a former worker at the home, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for indecent assault, taking indecent pictures of young boys and importing videos of naked children between 1985 and 1992 - offences which mainly took place at his holiday cottage on Holy Island, off the Northumberland coast.

The Operation Aldgate inquiry, which involves detectives and child protection unit officers, was launched after former residents of the home contacted Humberside Police to claim they were abused between 1965 and 1992.

The alleged victims are said to come from the north- east region of the country and the north Midlands.

The Roman Catholic Church Diocese in Middlesbrough and the De La Salle Order are co-operating fully with the inquiry.

Detectives are appealing to other former residents and former employees, who were at the home between 1965 and 1992, and who have concerns about "inappropriate behaviour", to come forward.

They say the inquiry will be wide-ranging and in-depth, and is likely to take some time.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Kerman, who is leading the investigation, said: "This is going to be a complex and difficult inquiry using a great deal of expertise that we are fortunate to have in our detectives. I am appealing to former residents and employees who were at the home from 1965 to 1992 who may have concerns over inappropriate behaviour to come forward. I can assure those who want to talk to the investigation team that they will be dealt with sensitively and in confidence."

In a report made to councillors after the Carragher scandal, Humberside County Council's deputy social services director Jim Leivers said: "St William's, during the 1970s, was an abusive regime that blighted the lives of many young people sent there for help and care by unsuspecting local authorities."

He said Carragher was "a likeable plausible man who deliberately set out to deceive all of those around him in order to sexually abuse youngsters in his care".

So far, no-one has been arrested in connection with the inquiry. Former residents and employees who have concerns should call 01482 334804.

Updated: 12:11 Wednesday, July 25, 2001