Detectives who handled sex crime allegations against Jimmy Savile are referred to police watchdog

Earlier this year, the CPS criticised Sussex and
Surrey police forces for being 'unjustifiably
cautious' and failing to properly investigate
the allegations.

Two detectives who dealt with a sex crime claim against Jimmy Savile in 2008 have been referred to the police watchdog.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it has directed Sussex Police to refer the conduct of the pair over their handling of the alleged indecent assault.

A woman came forward in March 2008 to claim that disgraced television presenter Savile assaulted her in a caravan in around 1970 when she was in her early 20s.

This was referred to prosecutors with three other allegations against the performer received by Surrey Police, but in 2009 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided no action could be taken.

Earlier this year, the CPS criticised Sussex and Surrey police forces for being 'unjustifiably cautious' and failing to properly investigate the allegations.

Alison Levitt QC found that 'had the police and prosecutors taken a different approach' prosecutions could have been possible in relation to three victims.

The two officers were referred to as DS O and DC T in Ms Levitt's report, and came under fire for wrongly telling the alleged victim that her claims would need to be corroborated before any prosecution.  (more...)

Detectives who handled sex crime allegations against Jimmy Savile are referred to police watchdog