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Police apologise to Savile victims over 'missed opportunities' to investigate

A formal apology has been issued to the victims of notorious sex offender Jimmy Savile as police admitted they missed a number of chances to investigate him while still alive.

North Yorkshire Police said an investigation into Savile and one of his high-profile friends, former Mayor of Scarborough Peter Jaconelli, had found there would even have been enough evidence to consider prosecuting the pair.

A total of 35 people had come forward to lodge allegations against the two men, with offences ranging from sexual activity with a child to rape.

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Police blame 'organisational failure' in Savile handling

'Organisational failure' - not misconduct - was to blame for failures in officers' handling of allegations against Jimmy Savile, police chiefs have claimed.

It comes after an investigation into North Yorkshire Police's handling of claims by the force's professional standards department found relevant information was not passed on to HM Inspectorate of Constabularies or the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission).

'Organisational failure' is blamed for failures in officers' handling of allegations against Jimmy Savile Credit: PA

Asst Ch Cons Paul Kennedy said the department was now continuing to investigate further issues surrounding investigations into Savile and his friend, then-Scarborough mayor Peter Jaconelli, during the 80s.

[The investigation] concluded that there was no evidence of misconduct but there was evidence of organisational failure, with a number of lessons to be learned which have now been rectified for the future.

Whilst there were failings to report some relevant information to the HMIC and IPCC, there is no evidence to suggest North Yorkshire Police failed in its responsibility to support Operation Yewtree, the national investigation concerning Savile.

– ACC Paul Kennedy, North Yorkshire Police

The IPCC has already announced that one serving detective sergeant has been served with a misconduct notice and is under investigation.

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Police apologise to Savile victims over 'missed opportunities' to investigate

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