A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of rape following alleged offences at a former Halstead school.

Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who attended Greenwood School, off Mill Chase, between 1985 and 1993 who may be able to help with the investigation.

A 58-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

The man is understood to have lived near the school at the time the alleged offences occurred.

He is currently on bail.

Det Con Jessica Bifield, from the Chelmsford child abuse investigation team, said: “These are really serious allegations and I need to speak to anyone who went to Greenwoods during this time period who may know something about them.

“I want to speak to former pupils, teachers and other members of staff.

“If you have any information which may help this investigation or if you want to report any offences, please contact me.”

Greenwoods School was formally known as The Halstead Industrial School and was first set up in the mid 1860’s. It closed in the 1990s.

Anyone with information call Det Con Bifield on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.