Ex-officer investigated over Savile

**Bald Bouncer** · 20th February 2013

An ex-policeman is being investigated over claims he "acted on behalf" of Jimmy Savile before the TV presenter was interviewed by officers.

Sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile
emerged after his death

The former police inspector is accused of contacting Surrey Police in 2009 during an inquiry into historical sex abuse allegations against Savile.

He has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) by West Yorkshire Police.

Savile allegedly abused hundreds of people during 60 years in showbusiness.

'Known personally'

In 2009, Savile was interviewed under caution by Surrey Police about alleged sexual offences involving teenage girls in the 1970s, but no further action was taken against him.

BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says during the inquiry a police inspector from West Yorkshire contacted Surrey to say he was "known personally" to Savile and passed on the late presenter's phone number.

"During the police interview, Savile named an inspector and said police had been to his home for tea. The IPCC is examining whether the actions of the police inspector who contacted Surrey amounted to misconduct," he said.

"Seven forces are also being asked to consider if any other officers should be investigated over the way they handled complaints against Jimmy Savile."

The other forces are Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, Greater Manchester, the Metropolitan Police and Lancashire.

The decision follows the IPCC's review of recently published reports - Operation Yewtree, a Scotland Yard inquiry established in the wake of the Savile scandal, the Crown Prosecution Service report by Alison Levitt QC and Operation Ornament by Surrey Police.

Operation Ornament was an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse committed by Savile on teenage girls in the late 1970s. The investigation began on 13 May 2007 and concluded on 30 October 2009 with no further action.

Intelligence review

In addition, the IPCC also reviewed information supplied by West Yorkshire Police, Sussex Police and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). The inspectorate is preparing a report for the home secretary on information known to the police and the response to historical allegations of criminal conduct in relation to Savile.

IPCC commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: "Having had the opportunity to assess all the information that is available to us, I directed West Yorkshire Police to record and refer the conduct of a former inspector.

"Furthermore, I believe that all the forces that may have had intelligence concerning the late Jimmy Savile should now go back and consider all the relevant information and materials they possess that may highlight any recordable conduct issues for the IPCC to assess."

Mark Burns-Williamson, police and crime commissioner for West Yorkshire, welcomed the IPCC's involvement.

"It is vitally important that the people of West Yorkshire and elsewhere understand what happened and the role that the police played during the many years that Savile lived in West Yorkshire and committed such shocking crimes here and throughout the UK," he said.

BBC News