Met starts formal Savile probe
Police today launched a formal criminal investigation into sexual abuse claims against the late Jimmy Savile and other suspects.
Scotland Yard revealed over 200 potential victims of abuse had been identified, leading children's charity the NSPCC to suggest Savile could have been "one of the most prolific sex offenders ever".
Met Police Commander Peter Spindler said the public's response to the issue has been "astounding", and claimed he force was dealing with alleged abuse "on an unprecedented scale".
"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," he said.
As internal investigations get underway at the BBC, a leaked email has shown bosses thought a Newsnight investigation into Savile would raise questions about the timing of the Corporation's tributes to the deceased presenter.
The email suggests Newsnight journalists had been "focusing on allegations of abuse" and not, as claimed by the BBC, on police conduct during the case.