Police have stood by controversial methods used when investigating allegations of abuse at care homes, following a critical report by MPs.

Senior officers at Merseyside Police said there had been no "witch hunt" against carers.

On Thursday they said criticism of the so-called "trawling" method, which involves asking hundreds of ex-care home residents whether they can identify abusers, is justified.

In 2000, football manager David Jones was acquitted of abuse charges at a Liverpool care home, after being arrested as part of Merseyside Police's "Operation Care".

'Good work'

Campaigners claim teachers and carers were jailed during the operation on the basis of false allegations.

However, Merseyside's Deputy Chief Constable Mike Tonge said the all-party Home Affairs Committee report does not note the "good work" inquiries like this have done.

He told BBC North West Today: "There's not been a great witch hunt. You've got to go back to the situation in the 1970s.

"I don't think carers now, in this modern day, need protection because unlike the 1970s people are accredited and vetted in the care of young people."

The MPs report looked specifically at the work of "Operation Care" in Merseyside.

It notes that county investigations into 510 former care workers who were suspected of child abuse, resulted in 67 being charged, and 36 convictions.