UK police have investigated more than 14,000 individuals, including politicians and celebrities, over allegations of child abuse in the past.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) revealed on Wednesday that the group, which coordinates separate abuse allegations across Britain, is looking into potential links between multiple British investigations into past child sex abuse.
It classified 261 of the suspects as people of public prominence; 76 are politicians- both national and local figures, 43 are from the music industry, 135 from TV, film or radio and seven from the world of sport. It also said of the total, 216 are dead now.
The report suggested most of the other suspects were offenders who operated inside schools, children’s homes and religious bodies.
Norfolk Police Chief Constable Simon Bailey said the referrals were “increasing on an almost-daily basis” with the numbers released being a “snapshot in time”.