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Football sex abuse: Scotland Yard launches investigation into abuse claims at London clubs | Football sex abuse: Scotland Yard launches investigation into abuse claims at London clubs |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Scotland Yard has launched an investigation into sex abuse claims involving a number of football clubs in London. | Scotland Yard has launched an investigation into sex abuse claims involving a number of football clubs in London. |
The Metropolitan Police said a team of specialist officers from its sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command would look into allegations of “non-recent” crimes. | |
However, it refused to say which clubs it was investigating or how many allegations had been made. | |
The Met said its team would work with Operation Hydrant, the over-arching nationwide investigation into historical child sex abuse. | The Met said its team would work with Operation Hydrant, the over-arching nationwide investigation into historical child sex abuse. |
Detective Chief Superintendent Ivan Balhatchet, said: “We take all the allegations we receive very seriously and they will be dealt with sensitively. | |
“Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, whatever the circumstances, or has any relevant information should contact their local police or the NSPCC.” | |
It comes as football teams across the country have been implicated in a growing child sex abuse scandal gripping the sport. | It comes as football teams across the country have been implicated in a growing child sex abuse scandal gripping the sport. |
There are 13 London-based clubs in the four professional English football leagues. | There are 13 London-based clubs in the four professional English football leagues. |
One of them, Queens Park Rangers, was drawn into the controversy on Tuesday. | One of them, Queens Park Rangers, was drawn into the controversy on Tuesday. |
The west London club said it was aware of historical child abuse allegations involving former chief scout Chris Gieler, who died in 2004, and would cooperate with any investigations. |