Seven staff at a G4S-run young offender institution have been suspended after allegations concerning the use of unnecessary force, including claims that staff punched and slapped teenage children. The private security company has confirmed that seven members of staff, including training centre assistants, team leaders and two duty operation managers, have been suspended at Medway secure training centre in Kent. Kent police have launched an investigation into the allegations, which also involve claims that staff deliberately concealed their actions and used foul language to frighten and intimidate youngsters. The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has temporarily stopped placing children at the centre, which can hold up to 76 young offenders aged 12-18. A G4S spokesman said the employees were suspended on 30 December after written allegations were received from BBC Panorama, which had been engaged in undercover filming at Medway STC for a programme that has yet to be broadcast...Paul Cook, the managing director for G4S children’s services, said: “We are treating the allegations with the utmost gravity and have taken immediate action to suspend a number of staff members who are alleged to have conducted themselves in a manner which is not in line with our standards.  “We take any allegations of unacceptable or inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously and are giving our full support and cooperation to the local authority designated officer for safeguarding children and the police as the investigation moves forward.”