Police are investigating fraud allegations and inappropriate behaviour towards patients at a mental health unit for children.

Forest House in Radlett is currently facing an investigation after a person allegedly made fraudulent claims to be able work at the site this year.

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "We have also received reports of inappropriate behaviour by a man in his 40s and these matters too are currently being reviewed by specialist officers within our Safeguarding Command.”

According to a BBC report, staff at the centre told reporters there had been assault, sexual assault and fraud.

Watford Observer: The opening of Forest House in 2009The opening of Forest House in 2009

The report states that agency staff accessed the mental health unit under another person’s name to commit the “inappropriate” acts.

The allegations comes after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave a formal warning saying that leadership at the unit had “significantly deteriorated”.

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But this specific incident was not mentioned in the CQC report due to the ongoing police investigation and further allegations being made after inspectors visited.

The Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson continued: "We take reports of fraud and abuse seriously and each report will be fully investigated."

A spokesperson for the Hertfordshire Partnership University Foundation Trust, that runs Forest House, said: "The safety of our service users and staff is our number one priority.

"We always take any allegations of inappropriate behaviour or breaches of our policies very seriously and carry out thorough investigations."