British police investigating alleged child sex abuse by late BBC television star Jimmy Savile have uncovered around 300 possible victims, a senior officer said on Thursday.
Some of the allegations involve other abusers who may have acted with the entertainer, who died last year aged 84, Commander Peter Spindler of London’s Metropolitan Police said.
All but two of the alleged victims are female, he said.
The inquiry, which has plunged the British Broadcasting Corporation into crisis, is a ‘watershed’ moment in the investigation of child abuse in Britain, Spindler said.
Police said they had spoken to 130 of the 300 victims who had come forward and formally recorded 114 crimes. They are speaking to victims initially by telephone before formally interviewing them.
Known for his distinctive platinum hair, shiny tracksuits and ever-present cigar, Savile was one of Britain’s top broadcasters and presented a string of programmes that brought him into contact with children.
Some of the allegations involve other abusers who may have acted with the entertainer, who died last year aged 84, Commander Peter Spindler of London’s Metropolitan Police said.
All but two of the alleged victims are female, he said.
The inquiry, which has plunged the British Broadcasting Corporation into crisis, is a ‘watershed’ moment in the investigation of child abuse in Britain, Spindler said.
Police said they had spoken to 130 of the 300 victims who had come forward and formally recorded 114 crimes. They are speaking to victims initially by telephone before formally interviewing them.
Known for his distinctive platinum hair, shiny tracksuits and ever-present cigar, Savile was one of Britain’s top broadcasters and presented a string of programmes that brought him into contact with children.