Jimmy Savile a suspect in 31 rapes as hundreds claim abuse

Jimmy Savile is suspected to have committed almost 200 sex crimes, including more than 30 rapes, police disclosed on Wednesday.

Over the past 10 weeks, 450 people have contacted detectives to make allegations against the late BBC disc jockey and tv presenter.

Scotland Yard said the scale of the sexual accusations against Savile was "unprecedented" in this country.

Officers have recorded 199 crimes in 17 police force areas in which the former DJ is a suspect, including 31 rape allegations in seven different areas. Eighty-two per cent of those who came forward were women. Eight out of 10 of Savile's alleged victims were children at the time of the attacks, which took place over several decades.

Commander Peter Spindler, who is heading the inquiry, said the pattern suggested that the DJ's offending peaked in the 1970s. The Metropolitan Police began an investigation into Savile's activities, known as Operation Yewtree, after an ITV documentary in October exposed him as a serial sexual abuser.

Another 12 inquiries are under way, including two BBC reviews; one looking at whether the corporation's culture and practices allowed Savile to continue abusing children; the other examining why Newsnight, a tv current affairs programme, dropped a report about his sexual attacks.

Detectives are also examining allegations against other figures from the entertainment world and have questioned seven suspects, among them Max Clifford, Gary Glitter, Freddie Starr and Dave Lee Travis.

So far 589 people have contacted the Operation Yewtree team with information relating to Savile and others.

Police warned that there would be further arrests in the coming weeks.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Our officers will continue to investigate allegations made against those who potentially can be brought to justice."

The Metropolitan Police and the NSPCC children's charity are compiling a report outlining the full extent of Savile's sexual abuse, which is due to be published early in the new year. Commander Spindler, the head of Scotland Yard's specialist crime investigations unit, said: "Once again I want to pay tribute to those who have spoken out and bravely shared their experiences of sexual assault.

"As a result of their collective efforts we have a great opportunity to learn from the past, develop our understanding of sexual exploitation and improve our safeguarding procedures.

"Our response should send a clear warning to anyone today now in a position of power and influence who abuse their status to sexually exploit children and young people - victims will be listened to and robust action taken."

Publicity surrounding the Savile scandal led to a significant rise in people reporting sexual abuse to the police, with a fourfold increase in London since the launch of Operation Yewtree.

The NSPCC has received 236 calls about Savile since the start of October - an average of five a day.

Peter Watt, the director of the charity's helpline, said: "Sadly, Savile's victims had to wait decades for help. We have a historic opportunity to learn from the past and make a difference to how we protect children today."