Savile abuse claims: Met Police launch criminal inquiry

More than 200 potential victims of sex abuse by Savile have come forward
Jimmy Savile abuse claims



Scotland Yard has launched a formal criminal investigation into alleged sexual abuse by the late BBC presenter Sir Jimmy Savile and others.

The Metropolitan Police said more than 400 lines of inquiry had been "assessed" and over 200 potential victims have been identified.

Cdr Peter Spindler said a "staggering" number of victims had come forward.

Children's charity the NSPCC said Savile could have been "one of the most prolific sex offenders".

Scotland Yard said the investigation - dubbed Operation Yewtree - moved from an assessment to a criminal investigation after detectives established there are lines of inquiry involving "living people that require formal investigation".

Of the 200 victims, the Met said the "vast majority" were victims of Savile and were abused as children, but that the figure also included victims of alleged abuse "by other individuals".

The force would not say how many living people were under investigation. Savile died on 29 October 2011, at the age of 84.

The police involvement was sparked after ITV broadcast an investigation in Savile's behaviour called Exposure, the Other Side of Jimmy Savile on 3 October, 2012.

In it, several women alleged he sexually abused them when they were under age. Other alleged victims then came forward after the broadcast.

Cdr Spindler said the response from the public had been "astounding".

He added: "We are dealing with alleged abuse on an unprecedented scale. The profile of this operation has empowered a staggering number of victims to come forward to report the sexual exploitation which occurred during their childhood.

"I am pleased that victims feel confident enough to speak out about the abuse they suffered and would like to reassure the public that we take all these cases very seriously and they will be investigated with the utmost sensitivity."

Ten police officers and staff are working on the investigation, but it is thought it may take longer than originally anticipated for their report to be completed.

The Met added that the BBC could begin its internal review into Savile's time at the BBC, which can be run in parallel to the criminal investigation.

The force said they would "develop a protocol", ensuring that "any future potential criminal action is not jeopardised" by the BBC's own inquiries.

The inquiry is one of three BBC probes. It will be lead by former Court of Appeal judge Dame Janet Smith and will investigate the "culture and practices of the BBC" during the years that Savile worked for the corporation.

Dame Janet was appointed on Tuesday by Dame Fiona Reynolds, chairman of the BBC Executive Board, and agreed by the BBC Trust.

In a statement, the BBC said it welcomed the move and would ask Dame Janet "to start her review immediately".

Peter Watt, head of the NSPCC's helpline, said the charity had received more than 136 calls "directly relating to allegations against [Savile]".

"It's important we recognise the brave step victims have taken in coming forward and we urge any other victims to do the same."

Mr Watt added that increasing numbers of people were reporting "unrelated abuse" after hearing victims in the Savile case speak out.

As well as police and BBC investigations, inquiries are taking place into Savile's involvement with Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Broadmoor and Leeds General Infirmary.

Meanwhile, the BBC is to air a special edition of Panorama, looking into the issues surrounding Savile's years of alleged abuse, on BBC One at 20:30 BST on Monday.

Other programmes could be moved if the show runs longer than the half-hour slot currently scheduled.