Police trying to trace former Bromsgrove children's home deputy

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POLICE investigating a sexual offence have launched an appeal to trace an elderly man who worked at a Bromsgrove children's home in the 1970s.

The West Mercia force is eager to speak to David Palmer who is now believed to be in his 60s and 70s in the hope he will be able to provide some key information for the inquiry.

Mr Palmer was the deputy head of The Grove children's home in Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove and would have been in his late 20s to early 30s when he worked there between 1973 and 1977.

Police believe he lived with his parents in Brownhills, Staffordshire, where he was a member of a local Methodist church.

The Grove was thought to be run by Birmingham City Council but no longer exists.

Insp Mark Roberts from West Mercia Police said: "We are trying to trace Mr Palmer as we believe he may be able to assist us in connection with an ongoing inquiry.

"Very little information is known about him other than that he had links to the Brownhills area of the West Midlands and to a Methodist church in Brownhills.

"Extensive inquiries have been carried out, but to date we have not been able to trace him."

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of David Palmer or knew him professionally or personally should call PC Doug Turland at Redditch Police Station on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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