Kids Company charity is investigated by Scotland Yard's child abuse, sex offences and exploitation unit

The Met said it was looking into a 'number of allegations of crime'

In a statement, Kids Company said it was 'co-operating fully with the police' (Getty)

The charity Kids Company is being investigated by police from Scotland Yard’s child abuse, sex offences and exploitation unit.

The Metropolitan Police said it was looking into a “number of allegations of crime” involving Kids Company, which works with vulnerable children and young adults.

In a statement, Kids Company said it was “co-operating fully with the police to assist the investigation into what it understands to be historical but serious allegations”. It added it had “no further substantive information”.

“Kids Company’s first priority is the safety and security of all the children, young people and adults we support and protect,” the statement said.

“The organisation operates robust policies and procedures that ensure all Kids Company’s clients are protected. The safety, security and well-being of the children, young people and adults we support is our first priority and it is this imperative that will guide our response to the allegations once further information has been disclosed by the police.”

Police said they had “commenced an investigation into a number of allegations of crime involving a children’s charity”.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that ministers had overruled advice from senior civil servants and handed a £3m grant to Kids Company despite allegations of financial mismanagement.