Police Reveal Scale Of Savile's Alleged Abuse

Jimmy Savile has been described as one of the most "prolific" sex attackers ever, with police taking evidence from 300 alleged victims.

Commander Peter Spindler said officers are following more than 400 lines of inquiry linked to the victims, of whom all except two are women.

It comes after the chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, said the scandal had damaged the corporation's reputation.

He said that the weight of evidence against the late DJ was overwhelming and added: "We have to believe what they are saying because they are all saying the same thing independently."

The officer said Savile was "undoubtedly" one of the most prolific sex offenders of recent history.

The team working on the investigation into the allegations has now been trebled to include 30 officers.

Investigators have so far spoken to 130 people who have come forward, and 114 allegations of sexual assault have emerged - the vast majority against Savile.

Officers are using a "triage" approach, first making contact with victims by phone to get initial details of their allegations, Cmdr Spindler said.

He told a news conference that most of the allegations are linked to Savile, but some involve others who may have acted with him.

The inquiry will be a "watershed" moment in the investigation of child abuse, he added.

Lord Patten said the allegations of abuse while on BBC premises were "awful".

He told Sky News: "My overall concern is about all those women and some men who've been abused over the years, think that they haven't been listened to not least apparently recently by the BBC.

"They've gone through terrible torments and then nobody has taken what they say seriously.

"It's a terrible way for people to have had to spend their lives. That for me gives this crisis a particular horror."

Sky Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said that police have not found any evidence that a paedophile ring was in operation at any institution associated with Savile.

Cmdr Spindler also revealed that a retired police officer had been in touch to say he had investigated Savile in the 1980s while based in west London but he had not had the evidence to proceed.

It is believed the allegation was of an indecent assault on BBC premises but officers have still not found the original file.

According to Cmdr Spindler, Savile had been protected during his reign of abuse because "children or young people" had not felt "empowered to speak out".

Meanwhile, a solicitor acting on behalf of victims of Savile has launched claims against the late celebrity's estate on behalf of clients.

Alan Collins, a partner and specialist in abuse work at law firm Pannone, said: "Much has been written and said about possible actions against the BBC and it is true that claims may be brought against them and other organisations Savile was involved with.

"However, if he was acting as an individual, it is possible to take action against Sir Jimmy Savile's estate because he was a wealthy man and there will be assets to claim against.

"It is imperative that action is taken promptly in order to advance clients' claims which arise from their allegations of sexual abuse."