BAHRAINI security forces threatened minors with rape and electric shock and beat them in custody after they were detained in protests last month, rights groups have said.

The allegations of torture were detailed in a report released on Wednesday by the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird) and Human Rights Watch (HRW).

They claimed that around 13 young people aged between 11 and 17 were detained during protests to mark the anniversary of the 2011 pro-democracy uprising in Bahrain.

“Five children, arrested on February 14-15, said that police from the station beat, insulted and threatened them with electric shocks from a car battery,” the two groups said.

“An officer hit a 13-year-old on his head and threatened to rape him, give him electric shocks and beat his genitals.”

Police accused the children of vandalism and of burning tyres or blocking roads on the day they were arrested. 

At least four, including a 16-year old in a serious medical condition, remain in custody, the rights groups said.

Bahrain’s government has dismissed the allegations, with a representative saying that the authorities took human rights “very seriously” and had a “zero-tolerance policy” when it came to mistreatment of detainees.

Bahrain has long been accused of brutal repression and torture, backed by Western allies, including Britain. 

Last year Bird accused the University of Huddersfield of teaching “a bloodstained degree” and training Bahraini police at a base that is a well-known “torture hub.”

The rights group called for to to end the lucrative contract which sees the university flying staff out to teach a masters course in security science for officers and recruits at the Middle East country’s Royal Academy of Policing.

Witnesses claim that at least 10 political prisoners have been tortured, electrocuted and raped there, allegations that are denied by the Bahraini government.