UK & World News
- 13 December 2012, 3:31
Savile Abuse 'Unprecedented', Police Say
The investigation into sexual offences allegedly committed by the late DJ Jimmy Savile has revealed an "unprecedented" level of abuse by a single individual, according to child protection officials.
The Metropolitan Police report compiled 10 weeks into the Operation Yewtree investigation has seen 589 people come forward with information, of which 450 made accusations against Savile.
A total of 199 crimes have been recorded in 17 force areas in which the television presenter is a suspect and 31 allegations of rape have been made against him in seven force areas.
The report is based on information provided by the hundreds of alleged victims who have come forward since October 4, when five women recounted abuse allegedly at the hands of Savile in a TV documentary.
Analysis of the report has revealed that 82% of those who came forward to report abuse are female and 80% of the total victims were children or young people.
Commander Peter Spindler, Head of Specialist Crime Investigations at the Met, said: "Once again, I want to pay tribute to those who have spoken out and bravely shared their experiences of sexual assault.
"As a result of their collective efforts we have a great opportunity to learn from the past, develop our understanding of sexual exploitation and improve our safeguarding procedures.
"Our response should send a clear warning to anyone today now in a position of power and influence who abuse their status to sexually exploit children and young people - victims will be listened to and robust action taken."
The team of 30 officers is looking at three strands within the inquiry: claims against Savile, claims against Savile and others and claims against others. The report deals with the first strand of the inquiry.
Peter Watt, director of the NSPCC helpline, said: "Operation Yewtree has exposed shocking child abuse allegations of such an unprecedented scale that it has left a deep scar on the consciousness of the country.
"Sadly Savile's victims had to wait decades for help. We have a historic opportunity to learn from the past and make a difference to how we protect children today."
So far officers have detained seven suspects and assisted in the arrest of three others elsewhere in the country as part of Operation Yewtree.
More arrests will be forthcoming, the Metropolitan Police said.
what do you think?
Name witheld
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Gafyn Williams
How can you possibly know that without divine providence?
Louisa Gieldon
Well i'm afraid it's not obvious to me Darren. It's very easy to make glib statements such as yours, suggesting that people are trying it on. Leave that to the police and courts to decide. One day an abuse victim may choose you as the person they tell. Have an open mind about it.
Juliecrumpton1234
Louisa...open minds? Not in their safe "nice" little worlds!
Kerry Carline
All the talk about the ones that are in it for the money takes away from the real victims.the police will figure out who is guilty or not but meantime can we think about the victims here
Louisa Gieldon
I agree Kerry. Let the legal system sort out if anyone is making false accusations. Lets not hear all the "compo bandwagon" comments we had a few weeks ago. It really detracts from the real issue here, which is child abuse and institutional abuse of children and young people. Lets concentrate on how we move forward on this issue and not sneer and scoff and call abused people liars. What are we going to do to become more aware of the scale of this issue and how abusers masquerade as decent citizens/national treasures because we give them that power.
Kerry Carline
Exactly louisa.im so sick of hearing about this bandwagon.rarely have i seen a comment on here saying well done to the victims for coming forward especially after so long or anyone saying what a vile human being this evil monster was.no let's just assume that alk the people that have come forward are lying unless absolutley proven to be telling the truth.i tbh louisa dont think unless people change their attitudes that much will ever change.people put on these pedestals have a long way to fall but from what i have learnt in recent weeks is that there will always be someone there to catch them and defend them no matter the crime.
Juliecrumpton1234
Real eye opener how judgmental people can be Louisa and Kerry..
Kerry Carline
Aint that the truth julie
Rob Unstable
Perhaps thats the excuse that was made back in the day.... oh hes famous stop trying to get a payout... just saying
shaun spencer
Peaple are going over and over the same old things here now.
Kerry Carline
Maybe so shaun but should we forget about it now because people are getting bored of hearing about it.
shaun spencer
We can hardly forget it kerry but for the last two days theres been an item about the savile case by orange that hasnt told us what we didnt already know.so what can you say that hasnt been said already.
Kerry Carline
two days??? No shaun.the point i made was one i havnt made before.if you are bored of it now then dont read it or any of the comments left.some people are passionate about this subject and how to stop it and if people dont want to hear or talk about it then maybe we should all give up.
Juliecrumpton1234
Don't you feel sorry for the" bored" brigade, Kerry? It's "old" news now.....for them! :-/
Kerry Carline
I feel angry tbh julie because it's people with that attitude that cnt be bothered and why it wasnt bought out into the open years ago and why so many people are afraid to come forward.either people dont believe or they cant be bothered to deal with it.
kirsty phillips
oh dear not this again!
Juliecrumpton1234
Oh bless! Has it ruffled your cosy little world! Yes....it is " this" again, and again until its resolved! Sorry it's such a bore for you!
Rob Shaw
Julie are you bi polar? In a different post you condem this story being brought up again and now your mocking someone for the same thing!?
Juliecrumpton1234
Did I? Erh no I havnt!......are you senile?
Louisa Gieldon
A Jowett, J was being sarcastic that time
Juliecrumpton1234
Ahh! Yes Louisa! My dry sarcasm went over someone's head! ;-)
Rob Shaw
Ah I see. It's just she comes out with so much garbage on this site, it's hard to tell most of the time
Juliecrumpton1234
A jowett.....always a sad moment to retort to insults when you can't think of anything else! Lol! My turn to be in the firing line, is it? Bring it on! Heheeee! ;-)
IAN H
He looked at me a bit funny once in 1978....Thats £10,000 please
Louisa Gieldon
Ian. if only it was as trivial and ridiculous as you pretend it is. Many people have their lives ruined by abuse and abused children feel that they have nowhere to turn because of attudes like yours
Juliecrumpton1234
....ever been abused?
Kerry Carline
Sick and insensitive
Kevin Edwards
In real life it will always hold scars though the book i wrote is only fiction it shows a clear examples what kind of people get away with the sordid crimes. I'm sure mistakes will be learnt in the future...
Juliecrumpton1234
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
jane cumming
Im directly involved with this case as is someone else who comments on here.but to make this news item the main headline is sensationalizing.when there nothing in the story that is news.theres nothing new here we didnt know already.its understandable if youve been abused you might want to talk about it but your not saying anything new neither.in fact the debate here is whos bored of this and who isnt at the moment.but its not something to be bored of but being told repestedly something you already know is.
Juliecrumpton1234
Should you comment if you are involved?.....oh! Sorry if I'm boring!
Juliecrumpton1234
...and. Just looks what's coming out the woodwork since this all started....he's just the very tip of a very large iceberg! It needs to stay in the forefront of the news...
Louisa Gieldon
Agree with you Julie and i'm disgusted that weeks later, the same ignorant comments are being made towards the vistims. When will people ever learn? You're certainly not stupior boring and this does need to kept right up there/ With all respect Jane, it doesn't seem right to be commenting on a public firum if you are directly involved in this case. Julie is correct in that and i am making a genuine comment, not having a dig
Kerry Carline
Yes we know jane as you have said before but do you think that it's right that you broadcast that someone else is involved who comments on here.do they know that ur saying it because it doesnt take a genious to work out who this person is.
Juliecrumpton1234
I have Sussed the other person, too Kerry, and you are right...not good, to implicate that someone else!
Louisa Gieldon
I have too and think it's very careless and wrong to do that Jane.
jane cumming
Ohhhh .like yesterdays item on this story.OHH AS IF WE DIDNT KNOW THIS ALREADY.
Katie Kidd
Ewwwwwwwww ! He looks so creepy on this photograph how did it ever come as a surprise that he is a disgusting evil pervert !
angie_sorensen
That picture of him is disturbing,urghhhh
Russell6730
I wonder what the super stud used to put on his cornflakes each morning.
bjnk
Very difficult to describe this creature without getting banned or deleted,but he had many powerfull friends including royalty. Who protected him while he was alive,they need to be brought to book.Dont hold your breath it'll not happen, a few lesser players will be sacrificed only.
peter
Where did he find the time to do his charity work. DJ-ing, TV appearances, marathon running, opening hospitals and the like? He seens to have been too busy doing what he is being accused of.
shirley sutton
5:33pm on 12/12/2012
But are all the accusations real or have people jumped in the bandwagon expecting a payout???
TIM x
6:34pm on 12/12/2012
Spot on. BBC prepare yourself for bankruptcy!
Louisa Gieldon
9:37pm on 12/12/2012
Shirley, leave it to the police and try to keep an open mind. Child abuse is a common experience and those brave enough to come forward, even if it is years later, deserve not to be judged
Juliecrumpton1234
10:07pm on 12/12/2012
Money bloody money! Do you really think the abused think that an amount of money would compensate them!?
Para999Tom
9:24am on 13/12/2012
tell you what if money isn't important to those who claim to be abused. lets not give anybody any money and then see the true numbers? also i still don't understand how any of the accusers accusations can be proved ?