A TOP police officer has assured victims they are safe to come forward - after three men were charged with a string of historical sex offences.

The police have confirmed that the trio are alleged to have committed offences in Barrow between 2008 and 2010, along with other offences in Leeds between 1996 and 2008.

The men, from Yorkshire, have been charged as a result of a combined investigation carried out by Cumbria Police and West Yorkshire Police, which stemmed from allegations made two years ago.

Those charged include Shaha Amran Miah, 44, of no fixed abode, who, according to police was known to use the name ‘Jai’.

He is charged with rape, sexual assault, kidnap and two counts of witness intimidation in the Barrow area.

In the Leeds area he is also charged with six counts of indecent assault and six counts of gross indecency with a child.

Shaha Alman Miah, 43, also of no fixed abode, was known to use the name ‘Ali,' according to detectives.

He was charged with two counts of sexual activity with a child aged under 16 in Barrow.

And Shah Joman Miah, of Warmsworth Road in Doncaster, was known to use the name ‘Saj’ or ‘Sarj’, police have said.

He was charged with five counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, two counts of false imprisonment and one count of sexual assault in the Barrow area.

The 34-year-old is also charged with a string of offences that are alleged to have taken place in Leeds.

These include five counts of rape of a child under the age of 13, two counts of indecent assault, four counts of gross indecency with a child under the age of 14 and two counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

He also faces other charges of two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and five counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

All three men are scheduled to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on September 11.

Following the charges being brought, detective chief superintendent Dean Holden said anyone who came forward with sexual abuse allegations would be supported by the police, no matter how historic the allegations may be. 

The head of safeguarding and crime for Cumbria Police said: “This demonstrates that it doesn’t matter how historical the allegations are.

“We will pursue investigations and bring offenders to justice, and we will listen.

“We will always welcome anyone who comes forward and makes disclosures.

“Anybody who comes forward will always get our support.”

Police have encouraged anyone with information about the investigation to contact detective constable Scott Livett.

Or they can go to South Cumbria Crime and Safeguarding Team at cumbria.police.uk/report-it, or call officers on 101.