New data has revealed the nature of alleged sexual offences reported at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College.

The Penny Pot Lane college is the only basic junior training site in the British Army for recruits under the age of 18, but it has been dogged by allegations of abuse and bullying in recent years despite being praised by Ofsted.

The Stray Ferret previously submitted a freedom of information (FOI) request to North Yorkshire Police seeking the number of investigations opened at the college between August 2023 and July 2025. 

The response revealed five sexual offences alleged to have happened at the college were reported to police in 2024, and a further five had already been reported by July 7 this year (figures below).

But a recent FOI request - not submitted by the Stray Ferret - sought the nature of those alleged offences.

North Yorkshire Police has now revealed the allegations included rape of a male aged 16 and over, sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over and sexual assault on a male aged 13 and over.

The force did not break down the number of each recorded allegation, but this was not sought in the request. 

The Stray Ferret also revealed in July a sharp increase in violent crimes recorded at the Army Foundation College (above) over the last two years. 

Just one allegation of violence against a person was recorded in 2023, which jumped to five the following year.

The figure had almost tripled by July this year, when police had recorded 13 violence against a person allegations at the college.

The recent FOI request also sought the nature of the 18 alleged violent offences recorded in 2024 and 2025.

In its response, North Yorkshire Police said they included allegations of assault with injury, assault without injury, harassment and stalking.

Again, the force did not break down the number of each alleged offence.

No details have been given as to whether any of the alleged incidents involved recruits or staff at the college, nor did the police disclose how many offences – if any – led to someone being charged.

Army has 'robust procedures in place'

When we approached the Ministry of Defence about the nature of alleged offences recorded at the college, an army spokesperson said: 

The Stray Ferret has covered allegations of abuse, sexual harassment and bullying at the college extensively.

Last year, we published an account by a former Army Foundation College recruit who alleged another recruit tried to take his own life on-site due to incessant bullying.

Following an inquest into the death of Jaysley Beck, who killed herself at a barracks in Wiltshire following a sustained period of harassment, we also spoke to a friend of Jaysley’s about her thoughts on sexual harassment in the military.

The ex-recruit, who met Jaysley at the Harrogate Army Foundation College, told us she believes it is “100% a systemic problem in the army”.

But Ofsted’s glowing report painted a totally different picture of the college’s welfare provisions.