A review of sexual and physical abuse by the Methodist Church has found evidence it took place in Hampshire

The 100-page report published by the Methodist Church in Britain has led to apology in which it apologised for failing to protect children and adults.

It has identified more than 100 safeguarding issues related to churches across the southern region, including Hampshire.

The independent Past Safeguarding Cases Review, which has taken three years, was led by former Barnardo's deputy chief executive Jane Stacey.

It considered all safeguarding cases for which there were written records and those recalled from memory by ministers and members of the church going back to 1950.

These included cases that occurred within a church context as well as those which were reported to the church as a matter of pastoral concern, but happened away from the church.

It identified 1,885 past safeguarding cases, which included sexual, physical, emotional and domestic abuse as well as cases of neglect.

In approximately one quarter of these cases (26 per cent), church ministers or lay employees were identified as the perpetrators or alleged perpetrators.

In 61 of these cases there was contact with the police and there are six ongoing police investigations as a result.

The report revealed 101 safeguarding concerns in the Southampton district since 1950 to the present day, the fifth highest of all the church's regions.

This district covers all of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, but also extends to Dorset and Somerset and west Berkshire.

It has more than 80 ministers serving more than 200 churches.

The highest figure was 225 in Nottingham and Derby.

In the Southampton district 142 enquiries were sent out including to active ministers, retired ministers and lay people.

From them, 146 sent back responses to say they had been made aware of safeguarding concerns or had records of them.

Ninety active ministers in Southampton district were sent letters and 82 per cent of them responded - 33 ministers submitted 79 cases of concern.

Of the 60 retired ministers who responded, 23 came back with 37 cases.

As part of the review, in each identified case, the church's response was reviewed on whether it had been safe, pastorally appropriate and compliant with current legislation and policy.

Where possible and appropriate cases have been referred to the police or other action has been taken.

Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, general secretary of the Methodist Conference said: ''On behalf of the Methodist Church in Britain I want to express an unreserved apology for the failure of its current and earlier processes fully to protect children, young people and adults from physical and sexual abuse inflicted by some ministers in Full Connexion and members of the Methodist Church.

''That abuse has been inflicted by some Methodists on children, young people and adults is and will remain a deep source of grief and shame to the church.''