REPORTS of bullying are higher at a North Yorkshire Army base than at notorious Deepcut barracks.

Evidence submitted to the House of Commons by Surrey Police said there were more victims of abuse at Catterick Garrison than at Deepcut.

The Surrey base has been in the national spotlight since the deaths of four young soldiers, including Private Geoff Gray, of Seaham, County Durham, who was found with two gunshot wounds to the head.

The Commons Defence Select Committee is investigating the duty of care of armed forces recruits in the light of the Surrey police probe into the deaths.

Detectives, who uncovered incidents of bullying and sexual abuse, have recommended there should be broader inquiry into Army deaths.

In a report to the committee, submitted ahead of oral evidence given by Chief Superintendent Craig Denholm, it said findings showed incidents of bullying at Deepcut were below those for Catterick and only slightly higher than at Larkhill barracks in Wiltshire.

Officers said they were aware of other deaths, bullying allegations, lack of medical care and the placing of vulnerable recruits on armed duty, at other barracks.

Police told the committee, in the written evidence, that the issues spanned over nine years and involved at least three other police forces.

The other forces involved have never been named but a source has previously told The Northern Echo that officers at North Yorkshire police had spoken to their Surrey counterparts about investigating military deaths.

This has been denied by North Yorkshire.

Other evidence showed that, between 1999 and 2003, court martials at Catterick had reported incidents of ill treatment and indecent assault.

Between October 2000 and 2003 summary dealings at Catterick reported allegations of battery by recruits and ill treatment.

There was also evidence of battery and bullying at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

Families of soldiers who have died at Catterick Garrison are campaigning for a public inquiry into the deaths.

Five parents are due to give oral evidence to the committee in Westminster on December 1 and December 2.