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Thomas Cook staff step in over alleged child abuse in holiday resort
Thomas Cook is understood to have intervened in a family holiday following concerns about child abuse.
It is believed that other guests and hotel staff at the Atlantique Holiday Club resort in the Turkish resort of Kusadasi raised the alarm after allegedly witnessing one child being struck on the back of their head and another being dunked in a pool by their feet.
The family from Liverpool were on a two-week package deal, but following the complaints, Thomas Cook arranged for the family to be placed on the next available flight home.
In the meantime, they were moved to a nearby hotel and placed in two separate rooms – one for the mum and kids and another for the dad.
Thomas Cook staff were also stationed on the same floor of the hotel as a safeguarding measure, according to the Liverpool Echo.
When the family returned on a flight to Manchester the following day, Greater Manchester Police escorted them off the plane. Social services were also present.
Thomas Cook said: "We have a duty of care to all of our customers, and have clear policies in place, including a child protection policy, which we will not hesitate to act upon to ensure the wellbeing of our customers and colleagues."
Merseyside police confirmed their colleagues at Greater Manchester Police had escorted a family from a flight. Social services said it was unable to comment on individual cases.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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