Commander Peter Spindler who is heading the police inquiry into the matter told reporters, “We think we will come up with between 20 and 25 victims.” He admitted, “The pattern of his (Saville’s) offending behavior does appear to be on a national scale” with the earliest reported case in 1959. According to the police, most of those who have come forward were aged between 13 to 16 at the time of their ‘alleged’ abuse.
Spindler rubbished any culture of sex abuse inside the BBC when Saville was at the peak of his career, though several of the complainants had alleged that other well-known stars along with Saville were involved in systematic abuse of children.
Spindler said clearly “We’re not investigating the BBC, the only people we will be investigating are specific individuals should there be any evidence.”
Saville, himself, cannot be the subject of any criminal probe as he was laid to rest last year wearing a tracksuit, while his gold-colored coffin was put on public display.
Too many women have been coming forward over the years, and for over the last 40 years, alleging child sex abuse by the now departed Saville. Spindler told reporters, “Information is coming in as we speak. The reality is this really has captured the public’s mind.”
Critics have alleged that last year an investigation by Newsnight was shelved, because BBC bosses wanted the allegations kept quiet. However, BBC has categorically denied such allegations, and Peter Rippon, Newsnight’s editor said he had decided not to run the story because the allegations could not be substantiated.