The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it was alleged a case was dropped when a person involved made claims against late Edward, who led the 1970-1974 Conservative party government in Britain.
Edward died at his home in Salisbury, south-west England, in 2005 aged 89. The latest inquiry has been opened after claims made by a retired senior officer were referred to the IPCC by Wiltshire Police.
“It is alleged that a criminal prosecution was not <g data-gr-id="28">pursued,</g> when a person threatened to expose that Sir Edward Heath may have been involved in offences concerning children,” an IPCC spokesperson said.
“In addition to this allegation, the IPCC will examine whether Wiltshire Police subsequently took any steps to investigate these claims,” he added.
In a statement, Wiltshire Police said: “Sir Edward Heath has been named in relation to offences concerning children.
“He lived in Salisbury for many years and we would like to hear from anyone who has any relevant information that may assist us in our inquiries or anyone who believes they may have been a victim.
“Some people may never have spoken out about the abuse they have <g data-gr-id="25">suffered</g> but we would urge them to please contact us and to not suffer in silence.”
Ted Heath, as he was known, lost his leadership of the party to Margaret Thatcher in 1975. In his later <g data-gr-id="35">years</g> he became the Father of the House of Commons as the longest-serving MP. He was <g data-gr-id="34">a also</g> successful author, an avid <g data-gr-id="23">art-collector</g> and a world-class yachtsman.