British Wrestling has taken steps to assure its members of its commitment to protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable people in the sport ©British Wrestling

The British Wrestling Association has taken steps to assure its members that it is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable people in the sport.

It is less than three weeks since a number of former footballers - including ex-youth players, trainees and professionals - came forward with allegations of historical sexual abuse in football.

So far, 350 people have alleged they are victims and 55 amateur and professional football clubs are linked to allegations of abuse.

The Football Assocation has begun an internal review to look at what officials and clubs knew and when.

"This is a timely moment to emphasise the type of behaviours and processes required to ensure children and vulnerable people are safe in our sport." said a statement on British Wrestling's website.

British Wrestling says it has worked closely with the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) to develop policies and procedures to safeguard children and vulnerable people and these policies and procedures have been reviewed this year.

British Wrestling currently holds the NSPCC & CPSU's National Advanced Standard for safeguarding and protecting children in sport.

British Wrestling says it has worked closely with the Child Protection in Sport Unit and other bodies to develop policies and procedures ©United World Wrestling/Facebook
British Wrestling says it has worked closely with the Child Protection in Sport Unit and other bodies to develop policies and procedures ©United World Wrestling/Facebook

British Wrestling "will continue to work closely with all our clubs and statutory agencies to ensure that the safeguarding of children remains a top priority".

"As with all sports, it is important that all of our members, volunteers and accompanying parents remain vigilant and report any concerns, so that they can be responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately," the statement adds.

"Part of the reason of having effective policy and procedures is that any allegation, suspicion of harm or concern is taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.

"We endeavour to be vigilant and we hope that reports in the press and media about safeguarding issues in sport in recent weeks will have further encouraged any athlete who has suffered in the past or is suffering now, to speak out and seek help.

"British Wrestling depends on the adults who actively volunteer in Wrestling Clubs up and down the country to make sure that young people in their care are safe while enjoying all the benefits we know Wrestling brings."