Hundreds of women have come forward to allege sexual abuse took place during British army medical examinations over five decades.
Police are investigating claims of abuse at various army locations in the UK, and officers believe multiple alleged perpetrators may be involved.
Wiltshire police are leading the investigation, which is examining allegations of abuse between the 1970s and 2016, but officers from other forces are also involved.
Neither the Ministry of Defence nor Wiltshire police have officially said how many people have made allegations, but a well-placed source confirmed that hundreds of women have come forward so far.
Wiltshire police has said the investigation was established earlier this year after the disclosure of “non-recent” sexual abuse of army recruits during enlistment medical examinations at several locations.
It said: “We are in contact with individuals who have been affected, and we are working to reach others who may have concerns or information to share.
“Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have experienced criminal, inappropriate or unusual behaviour during army enlistment medical examinations to contact us. We are committed to engaging with each survivor and witness to ensure we offer appropriate support.”
The investigation, codenamed Operation Pianora, is supported by the Hampshire-based defence serious crime command and the MoD. Wiltshire police said: “We are in the process of identifying points of contact at most police forces in the UK.”
The senior investigating officer, Det Supt Darren Hannant, said: “Our inquiries to date have revealed offending spanning several decades at various locations in the UK, indicating different perpetrators.
“We are actively following multiple lines of inquiry and reaching out to a large number of people. We are yet to identify suspects. The investigation is in its early stages and further updates will be provided in due course.”
The defence minister Luke Pollard wrote on X: “I commend the bravery of those who have stepped forward to share their painful and appalling experiences. MoD service police are working closely with Wiltshire police. Any claims that fall short of the standards we expect should be properly investigated.”
When the police investigation was announced last week, the minister for veterans, Louise Sandher-Jones, addressed alleged victims directly: “I will stand with you every step of the way in your fight for justice and the MoD will give its full backing to Wiltshire police’s investigation,” she said.
“All those who choose to serve our country must be able to do so free from abuse, and with the dignity and respect they deserve. We are committed to rooting out sexual misconduct wherever we find it.”
Lt Gen David Eastman , the deputy chief of the general staff, said: “There is absolutely no place in the British army for sexual abuse and misconduct, and we are fully committed to supporting Wiltshire police’s appeal into these non-recent reports.
“We are alarmed to learn that for some of our people, their first experiences of military life may have seen them subjected to such unacceptable behaviours.
“We encourage anyone who may have experienced any criminal, inappropriate or unusual behaviour during their enlistment medical examinations to contact Wiltshire police.”
The investigation can be contacted on the Wiltshire police website.
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