Witchcraft abuse of children 'is rife' in the UK

Ministers are preparing to publish a "harrowing" report on abuse meted out to African children in Britain branded as witches.

The highly sensitive inquiry was ordered, after a string of cases in which children were alleged to have been beaten in exorcism rituals.

Some suspect that there may have been as many as 50 such cases in London in the past five years, but the exact figures will be revealed in an official report to be published in the next two weeks.

It is expected to detail abusive practices, such as slashing with razors, starving and rubbing chilli peppers into children's eyes.

Attention focused on witchcraft rituals after the discovery of "Adam", an unknown African boy whose torso was found in the Thames in 2001. A Metropolitan Police investigation found that hundreds of children visiting Britain from Africa could not be accounted for.

Publication of the research by Eleanor Stobart was delayed, however, amid fears that it would damage race relations. African church leaders fear the findings will unfairly stigmatise the majority.

Interesting? Click here to explore further