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Watchdog request over Sussex Police Savile officers Jimmy Savile police officers referred to IPCC
(about 1 hour later)
The police watchdog has asked for more information over how two Sussex detectives handled a sex assault allegation against Jimmy Savile. Two detectives who dealt with a sex crime allegation against Jimmy Savile in 2008 have been referred to the police watchdog.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it had directed Sussex Police to record and refer the officers' conduct to the watchdog.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it had directed Sussex Police to record and refer the officers' conduct to the watchdog.
The officers investigated an alleged sexual offence by Savile after a woman contacted the force in March 2008. The detectives investigated an alleged sexual offence by Savile after a woman contacted the force in March 2008.
It is part of an IPCC review of material from a number of forces. Sussex Police said it would comply with the IPCC request and work with it.
It said it had requested further information from West Yorkshire, Surrey and the Metropolitan Police forces. One of the officers allegedly told the woman that a prosecution would be difficult because Savile was a "big celebrity".
He and another officer also wrongly told her that her claims would need to be corroborated before any prosecution.
The two officers are continuing their normal duties and have not been suspended.
The IPCC's request is part of a review of material from a number of forces.
It said it had requested further information from West Yorkshire, Surrey and the Metropolitan police forces.
"On receipt of the further information from these four police forces we will take decisions as soon as we can whether IPCC investigations are required," it said."On receipt of the further information from these four police forces we will take decisions as soon as we can whether IPCC investigations are required," it said.
'Careful assessment' Caravan allegation
The IPCC is already conducting an independent investigation into allegations a West Yorkshire Police inspector "acted on behalf" of Savile by inappropriately contacting Surrey Police ahead of a police interview in 2009.The IPCC is already conducting an independent investigation into allegations a West Yorkshire Police inspector "acted on behalf" of Savile by inappropriately contacting Surrey Police ahead of a police interview in 2009.
It said it had now advised other five police forces from which it received Savile-related information that it did not intend to take further steps in regard to any of their officers at this time. The Sussex officers investigated the woman's claim that disgraced television presenter Savile assaulted her in a caravan in about 1970 when she was in her early 20s.
This was referred to prosecutors, along 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 admitted this was a missed chance to charge Savile while he was alive, because his accusers were not taken seriously enough.
Sussex Police said it had received a request from the IPCC in February seeking relevant documents and its view on the potential for any police misconduct investigation.
"We sent a full response to the IPCC in March and received a letter from them on 1 November requiring us to record a misconduct matter in relation to both officers referred to, and to refer it back to the IPCC for their decision on how it should be investigated," the force said in a statement.
"Recording a misconduct matter means we formally record the potential for a misconduct investigation, and refer it to the IPCC for their decision on what should happen next.
"There has not yet been a misconduct investigation."
'Careful assessment'
The IPCC said it had now advised other five police forces from which it received Savile-related information that it did not intend to take further steps in regard to any of their officers at this time.
These forces were Thames Valley, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, North Yorkshire and Lancashire.These forces were Thames Valley, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, North Yorkshire and Lancashire.
"After careful assessment of all the information so far available we have determined there is insufficient evidence of any recordable conduct matters specific to individual police officers which would merit a referral to the IPCC," it said."After careful assessment of all the information so far available we have determined there is insufficient evidence of any recordable conduct matters specific to individual police officers which would merit a referral to the IPCC," it said.
"The forces have provided rationale to the IPCC, as requested, for their decision-making in not recording or referring any conduct matters.""The forces have provided rationale to the IPCC, as requested, for their decision-making in not recording or referring any conduct matters."