Twenty more people have been charged with sexual offences as part of police’s Operation Sanctuary probe.

The charges follow the 13-month investigation into allegations of offences committed against vulnerable women and girls across the North East.

So far, 31 people have been charged as part of the operation and the latest charges relate to 12 victims, aged between 13 and 25.

Many of them appeared in Bedlington Magistrates’ Court during the course of today, and were either bailed on remanded in custody until Newcastle Crown Court appearances on February 16 and 17.

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Ashman, who is leading the investigation, said today marked a significant milestone in the operation.

He said: “So far, it’s the largest single number of charges that we have placed before a court. It’s a result of 13 months of meticulous investigation by a dedicated team of officers and social workers.”

Deputy Chief Constable Ashman said the investigation was launched when two girls made a number of allegations in a police station.

He added: “Today marks a milestone in this operation. Since the first allegations were made over a year ago we have painstakingly left no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate all allegations.

“We have worked closely with a range of other agencies including the local authority and CPS to reach this point. We are limited in what we can say as we must now protect the integrity of the criminal proceedings and must avoid any statements that could breach legal restrictions and put prosecutions at risk.

“To date, this part of the investigation has involved speaking to over 100 potential complainants, a dozen of whom have been identified as victims in relation to today’s charges.

“This has been done carefully with support from other professionals and I must commend them all for their bravery in working with us.

“The welfare of victims is our priority and we have worked closely with other agencies to ensure they have the appropriate support in place.

“Operation Sanctuary will not end. It is a wide ranging investigation into many different crimes of a sexual nature against vulnerable women and girls. Today’s charges are just one element of this.

“I would encourage anyone who wants to report such crimes to police to do so. They will be believed and they will be supported.

“We have had tremendous support from the public and businesses and we need this to continue. I would urge people to be vigilant and if something doesn’t look or feel right I would ask them to contact us.

“Some people or groups may try to use Operation Sanctuary to build resentment. Our community has a history of harmonious relations and is one of tolerance. Anyone experiencing hate crime should report it to police and be reassured we will investigate thoroughly.

“By working together, we can continue to ensure out towns and cities are safe places to live, work and visit.”

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A man has been charged with rape as part of a continuing police inquiry into the sexual abuse and grooming of vulnerable young women on Tyneside.

Abdul Jelilou Ouro Kefia, 21, of Duncan Street, Walker, was remanded in custody by Newcastle magistrates on Wednesday.

Northumbria Police said it received a report of a teenage girl being raped at an address in Newcastle on Monday.

It said 46 people had been arrested as part of Operation Sanctuary and some 80 vulnerable women and girls identified.

The operation concerns allegations of sexual assault involving teenage girls and young women – some in local authority care.

Mr Kefia is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court in March.

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A total of 18 people have now been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of teenage girls and young adults in north-east England.

Northumbria Police have carried out further raids in Newcastle and Gateshead on a number of properties as they reacted to information about a series of sexual assaults.

As part of Operation Sanctuary, three more people have been arrested, bringing the total to 16 men and two women, all on suspicion of conspiracy to rape.

The 15 people detained on Monday have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Police said some of the victims were in care when the alleged offending took place and that their priority was to protect them and ensure their safety.

The alleged offenders are said to be from “a range of communities” and police have urged against speculating about their background.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Gary Calvert said: “Our priorities remain to arrest those believed to be responsible for these offences and to offer support to safeguard those victims already identified, while encouraging anyone else who believes they may know or have been a victim themselves to talk to us.

“If there are any women and girls who have been involved in this activity, even if they don’t believe they’re a victim, we’d still like to speak to them.

“Our stage of the operation will continue over the next few days and we would still urge the public to come forward and help us.”

The police said the investigation, which was launched a few weeks ago, was sparked after they received information from an alleged victim.

But they indicated that they did not yet know the full scale of the offending and how wide it might reach.

Earlier, Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes said he was shocked and appalled at the nature of the allegations and urged people not to panic.

He said as soon as staff became aware that some of the alleged victims were in the care system, the authority acted to ensure their safety.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of the entire city when I say how shocked and appalled I am by the alleged nature of these offences,” he said.

“It’s vital that communities pull together through this difficult time and co-operate with the police in what I know is going to be a very extensive investigation over the next few weeks.”