SEX attacks on children at a nursery school involving youngsters from Torbay and surrounding areas were committed by a lone individual, police have confirmed.

They say they have now identified a number of children aged two and over who may have been victims of an unnamed young male member of staff at the Jack and Jill Childcare facility in Torquay.

It’s thought as many as a dozen infants, according to some reports, may have been targeted by a suspect who was arrested in July and bailed.

He was taken out of Devon as part of his conditional release while inquiries continued. He is due to answer his bail on January 22.

Detectives probing the abuses, who have not indicated how many children may have been affected, have stressed that no other members of staff at the nursery are reckoned to have had knowledge of the alleged crimes.

And they insisted: ‘These appear to be the actions of a lone individual, and the offences do not involve the taking or distributing of any images.’

Acting Detective Chief Inspector James Stock, of the Public Protection Unit said: ‘We have now contacted all parents and guardians of children who attended Jack and Jill Childcare in relation to our investigation.

‘Specialist officers and our colleagues from social services, have visited the parents and guardians of those children we believe may be victims. They will continue to receive multi-agency support in the coming days, weeks and months.’

He added: ‘I can provide reassurance that the individual concerned was immediately removed from the setting and given strict bail conditions as part of their release from police custody. They have since been moved out of the force area whilst the investigation continues.

‘Following further investigation, a number of concerns around safeguarding matters were raised by police to partner agencies. Ofsted subsequently made the decision to suspend the licence of the nursery whilst they further investigate those concerns.

‘We will continue to work with our partner agencies and those affected by these matters to progress this investigation.’

Nancy Meehan, Deputy Director from Torbay’s children’s services, said: ‘We take safeguarding children incredibly seriously, and we are working closely with partners including the police in relation to this matter.’

A helpline has been set up by the Torbay Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, hosted by the local authority for anyone with concerns. The number is 01803 208820 which is open between 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday.