Detectives have identified 80 people to speak to as part of Operation Sanctuary

Detectives say they have identified eighty women and girls they would like to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into sexual abuse on Tyneside.

In the past two weeks thirty arrests have been made as part of Operation Sanctuary.

Police say they have identified fifteen alleged victims, but are worried there could be many more.

Frances Read reports.

Detective Chief Constable Steve Ashman.

Detective Chief Constable Steve Ashman.

Detectives say they have now identified 80 women and girls they need to speak to as part of operation sanctuary, an investigation into sexual abuse on Tyneside.

Frances Read has been at Northumbria Police headquarters.

Northumbria Police say they have identified 80 women and girls they need to speak to as part of Operation Sanctuary, an investigation into sexual abuse on Tyneside.

Detectives have identified thirty women they want to trace as part of Operation Sanctuary, the investigation into the sexual abuse of teenage girls and young women on Tyneside.

25 men and two women have been arrested this week after a series of raids across Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside.

Frances Read reports.

Detectives have identified thirty women they want to trace as part of an Operation Sanctuary, the investigation into the sexual abuse of teenage girls and young women on Tyneside.

25 men and two women have been arrested this week on suspicion of conspiracy to rape after a series of raids.

They have all been bailed.

Constable Gary Calvert from Northumbria Police says they are appealing for more information and are supporting young victims who have already done so.

Northumbria Police has confirmed that one more man has been arrested in connection with Operation Sanctuary - an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of vulnerable teenage girls and young women in the Newcastle area.

It brings the total number of arrests since Monday to 26.

A further four men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rape after three more houses were searched in Newcastle and South Tyneside today.

This brings the total number of people arrested as part of Operation Sanctuary to 25.

Those arrested yesterday have been bailed.

Police are continuing to urge anyone who knows a victim - or who believes they have been a victim themselves - to come forward.

People can contact police on 101 or speak to their local neighbourhood officers who are out and about patrolling in the area or call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.