Ex-coach `Kit` Carson arrested over allegations of sex abuse in football

A 74-year-old former youth coach is being held by police over historical allegations of abuse related to football in Cambridgeshire. Detectives investigating reports of more than 30 alleged victims of abuse arrested the man on Friday (January 27). He has been named locally as Michael Sean Carson, and known as `Kit`, from Cambridge – detained on suspicion of indecency with children and indecent assault. He has worked for clubs including Peterborough United, Cambridge United and Norwich City. Cambridgeshire Constabulary said a man “in his 70s” remains in custody. A force spokesperson said officers are working closely with partners, including the Football Association, the local children’s safeguarding boards for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Cambridge and Peterborough United the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group and Cambridgeshire county and Peterborough city councils. More than 30 alleged victims of child sex abuse connected to football in Cambridgeshire have now come forward – deepening the national scandal surrounding the game. The latest arrest comes in the week that another 100 football clubs have been implicated in child sexual abuse allegations – bringing the overall total to 248. Reports passed to Operation Hydrant from the National Police Chiefs` Council (NPCC) dedicated football hotline, and from forces around the country, have broken the 1,000 barrier, since it was established in December. Those referrals alone have risen by almost a quarter – from 819 – since just before Christmas, according to figures released by the NPCC. The total number of potential victims now stands at 526, of whom 98 per cent are male – with an age range from four to 20. Coaches, some with links to Chelsea, Manchester City, Crewe Alexandra and Celtic, are among 184 suspects. But Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the NPCC lead for child protection, says Hydrant is beginning to see a decrease in the number of referrals being received via the NSPCC helpline and directly to forces relating to allegations of abuse within football, and other sports.