G4S to sell controversial children's services division

Security firm G4S has decided to sell its UK Children’s Services division as part of an ongoing review of its businesses.

G4S said it has begun a process to sell the business, which comprises 13 children’s homes and contracts to manage two secure training centres at Medway and Oakhill.

“The wellbeing and education of the children in our care will remain our priority until such time as an orderly transition to a new operator has been completed,” it said.

The news came just weeks after footage from a BBC Panorama expose showed staff at the Medway secure training centre in Kent using excessive force on young inmates.

Since then documentary was broadcast, five men have been arrested by Kent Police on suspicion of assault and child neglect. They have all been bailed until April.

In the year to December 2015, G4S UK Children’s Services had revenues of around £40m.

At 1450 GMT, G4S shares were up 3% to 211p.