VIPs, celebs among child sex abuse suspects in UK

London

 Politicians, celebrities and music makers are among more than 1,400 suspects investigated over alleged histories of child sex abuse, UK police said yesterday, in a report that sheds a light on the alarming prevalence of the problem.

 Britain has been shaken by repeated revelations of child sex abuse since an ITV documentary in October 2012 revealed that the late radio disc jockey and TV star Jimmy Savile, a larger-than-life character who was once one of the most beloved figures in British entertainment, was a serial sex abuser.

 That triggered a deluge of historic claims against Savile and others connected to him, as well as many unconnected past and recent cases.

 In response, the National Police Chiefs' Council set up Operation Hydrant last summer to oversee the investigation of the flood of allegations coming into police forces across the country.

 According to its news release yesterday, projections indicate the police caseload for overall reports of child sexual abuse has increased by 71% in the past three years, as many more victims are encouraged to come forward with complaints.

 Recent cases of abuse have risen by 31%, while non-recent cases have risen by 165%, the National Police Chiefs' Council said.

 Altogether, Operation Hydrant encompasses 1,433 suspects, of whom 216 are deceased. Some 666 suspects are connected to institutions and 261 are classified as "people of public prominence," the council said.

 They include 135 people from the world of TV, film or radio; 76 politicians -- from a local level as well as national figures; 43 people from the music industry; and seven suspects from the sporting world.

 Police are also looking at 357 institutions in connection with the operation, including 154 schools and 75 children's homes, indicating the scale of the breach of trust involving vulnerable young people.

 Dozens of religious institutions, medical establishments, community groups and prisons, including those for young offenders, are also under scrutiny in connection with the operation.