[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20006049

The Metropolitan Police have launched a "formal criminal investigation" into alleged incidences of sexual abuse by the late Sir Jimmy Savile.

Scotland Yard said more than 400 lines of inquiry had been "assessed" and over 200 potential victims of the former BBC DJ and presenter had been identified.

Cdr Peter Spindler described the number of victims who have come forward as "staggering".

He added the sexual exploitation had occurred during the victims' childhood.

Scotland Yard said the investigation - dubbed Operation Yewtree - moved from an assessment to a criminal investigation after detectives established there are lines of inquiry involving "living people that require formal investigation".

Cdr Spindler said the response from the public had been "astounding".

He added: "We are dealing with alleged abuse on an unprecedented scale. The profile of this operation has empowered a staggering number of victims to come forward to report the sexual exploitation which occurred during their childhood.

"I am pleased that victims feel confident enough to speak out about the abuse they suffered and would like to reassure the public that we take all these cases very seriously and they will be investigated with the utmost sensitivity."

It just gets worse .....