The arrests have left a city shocked and divided.

Eight men with links to St Stanislaus’ College between 1960 and 1993, and one man who was a teacher at All Saints College in the 1970s, have been arrested and charged with various offences by a special police taskforce set up to investigate allegations of past sexual abuse at the two schools.

The original strike force, named Heador, was later expanded to become Strike Force Belle as the investigation widened. It is comprised of specialist units of the State Crime Agency and detectives from Chifley Local Area Command.

Over the past 12 months the strike force has been taking statements, executing search warrants, seizing property and conducting interviews.

By December Strike Force Belle had taken more than 100 statements from over 100 witnesses. That number continues to grow.

More than 160 charges have now been laid as a result of investigations by the strike force detectives.

Sydney Barrister Greg Walsh who is representing a number of the men has expressed concerns about the handling of the matter by police and the media labelling it a witch hunt.

“I’m gravely concerned their opportunity to get a fair trial has been grossly affected,” he said.

Mr Walsh also referred to “mass hysteria and moral panic”.

The barrister told people assembled outside Bathurst courthouse that media reports have resulted in former students of St Stanislaus’ College being vilified, claiming they could not walk the streets of Bathurst.

These same Old Boys have been the school’s most staunch supporters.

Principal John Edwards said the school has received countless emails and letters from former students of all ages expressing appreciation for the many opportunities they received at the school.

To date Father Brian Joseph Spillane, 65, Brother John Gaven 66, Father Peter Dwyer 65, and Rick McPhillamy, 48 have pleaded not guilty to all charges.