THREE men were arrested yesterday on suspicion of having abused and mistreated vulnerable children held at a facility run by private security company G4S.

Kent Police opened the investigation after a BBC Panorama programme exposed G4S officers and supervisors verbally harassing and physically restraining teenagers held at Medway Secure Training Centre.

Campaigners demanded an immediate end to G4S’s government contract and called for young offenders facilities to be put back in public hands.

Anti-privatisation campaign We Own It director Cat Hobbs told the Star: “The latest appalling G4S scandal isn’t a one-off, and arresting the culprits won’t solve the underlying problem.

“G4S is required by its shareholders to put profits first, ahead of the welfare of vulnerable young people.

“Good care and a careful approach have gone out of the window.

“That’s why G4S has no place running our precious public services.”

According to a survey by the group over two-thirds of the British public thought G4S was “motivated by maximising profit” rather than providing the best service.

Ms Hobbs added: “The company is not trusted by the public, and for good reason.

“After the latest abuse, G4S should be stripped of its contracts immediately.

“We need public services that put people ahead of profit.”

More than 70 per cent of those quizzed thought that private companies running prisons was inappropriate.

Kent Police declined to confirm whether the men in custody were some of the four people sacked by G4S after the documentary aired on Monday night.

A spokesman said: “Officers investigating reports of abusive behaviour alleged to have taken place at a secure training facility in Medway have arrested three men on suspicion of child neglect.

“The investigation was launched following a referral from the Medway Local Authority Designated Officer.”

In response to the arrests, G4S managing director for children’s services Paul Cook said the group fully supported the police.

He added that G4S would “continue to provide police officers and the local authority with full access to Medway Secure Training Centre and the centre’s records, including CCTV footage.

“There is no place in our business for the conduct shown on the BBC’s Panorama programme on Monday night.

“This morning’s arrests send a strong message that any allegations of wrongdoing will be thoroughly investigated and we are grateful to the police for their swift action in this case.”