Police say sorry to Jimmy Savile's victims

Police today apologised to victims of Jimmy Savile and one of his friends after concluding officers missed opportunities to investigate them properly over child abuse allegations.

An investigation into Savile and Peter Jaconelli, the former mayor of Scarborough, found there would have been enough evidence to consider prosecuting them when they were alive.

North Yorkshire police said 35 people had come forward with allegations about the pair.

Thirty-two cases related to Jaconelli, between 1958 and 1998, and included allegations of indecent assault, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, gross indecency and rape. In the case of Savile, pictured, there were five reported offences, from 1979 to 1988, which ranged from sexual assault to rape. Two claimed to be victims of both men.

North Yorkshire police began Operation Hibiscus in February after a BBC Inside Out programme prompted reports of sexual abuse by Jaconelli and Savile.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said: “The available information indicates that, historically, the police missed opportunities to look into allegations against these men whilst they were still alive. Today, North Yorkshire police apologises to the victims who made the brave decision to come forward during the past 18 months.”

A police spokesman added: “It should be noted that it has not been possible to pursue those lines of inquiry which would have involved interviews with the individuals concerned, during which they may have disputed the allegations against them.”