Teen allegedly raped and child sexually assaulted at hotel in Walthamstow

Both victims are being supported by specialist officers

Police are investigating reports that a teenager was raped and a child sexually assaulted at a hotel being used to house refugees in Waltham Forest.

The Guardian reported that the teenager was allegedly raped by a man in his 30s on Wednesday, 5 October.

The man was arrested and taken into police custody but has since been bailed to return on a date in early January 2023.

A child, under the age of 13, was also allegedly sexually assaulted at the same site on Friday, 9 September.

A 17-year-old boy was charged with one count of sexually touching a child two days later. He has since been bailed to appear at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 9 November.

Specialist support is being provided to both of the victims.

The hotel is reportedly being used to house 150 child and 250 adults.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy has called on the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, to resign over the situation.

“On Monday Suella Braverman dismissed my concerns about safeguarding refugee children in a hotel,” tweeted Creasy. “She showed she couldn’t care less.

“Now we know of at least two sexual assaults of children on her watch. She’s wholly unfit to be in office and must resign.”

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