​An investigation into Kids Company is being carried out by the Metropolitan Police’s sexual offence, exploitation and child abuse unit

Children’s charity Kids Company is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police’s sexual offence, exploitation and child abuse unit.

A brief statement from the force on Thursday night said a complex case team of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command is investigating a number of allegations of crime.

In a statement, the charity said it was “cooperating fully” with the police to assist the investigation into what it understands to be “historical but serious” allegations.

Writing on the charity’s website, chief executive Camila Batmanghelidjh, who founded the charity in 1996, added she was “taken aback” by the allegations.

“In the last 19 years there have been no child protection rulings that have found us falling short of safeguarding the people in our care,” she said.

“We are a large community and there is always the possibility that people within it may engage in inappropriate conduct.

“If we had been aware of sexual assaults taking place on our premises we would have reported these to the police and the local safeguarding board. So you can understand that I am taken aback by allegations which now present themselves years later about which I knew nothing.

“We will cooperate with the police fully. If these allegations are true, I am filled with horror at the thought that someone may have been harmed in our care and we were not aware of it.”

Earlier this month Batmanghelidjh announced she would step down from here role as chief executive next year.

At the time, it was reported the Cabinet Office would withhold a £3 million funding grant if she continued in her role.

Anyone who has information, or concerns is asked to contact the investigating team on 0208 217 6538, or the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.