The head of Scotland Yard’s paedophile unit is to lead an investigation into claims that up to 18 teachers abused boys at a top London public school.
Detective Superintendent David Gray, who led the Jimmy Savile inquiry, is heading the investigation into St Paul’s School and its preparatory school Colet Court.
Former pupils have made multiple allegations of sex crimes against former teachers, ten of whom taught at Colet Court and eight at St Paul’s, according to The Times. The alleged sex offences span from the mid 1960s to last year.
Mr Gray, who led the Operation Yewtree investigation into alleged sex crimes of Savile and other celebrities including Max Clifford, said police intended to carry out: “a thorough and transparent review of non-recent offending at the two schools” which share a campus in Barnes.
He told The Times: “The investigation will be conducted by a dedicated team of specially trained officers who have experience of historic child abuse investigations and are sensitive to the needs of victims.”
Detective Sergeant James Townly, who has day to day control of the investigation, known as Operation Winthorpe, said: “We’ve already spoken to a number of complainants and there are many other people we need to contact to build a full picture of the alleged offending over several decades. It will obviously take some time for the police to work through all those names.”
A spokeswoman for the Met said: “We can confirm that due to the level of complexity involved, this investigation is now being conducted by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Paedophile Unit.
“Under Operation Winthorpe, detectives continue to consider a number of allegations of non-recent sexual abuse alleged to have taken place in the Barnes area.”
She added: “We are aware of a number of potential victims and witnesses who we wish to speak to over the course of the investigation.”
A spokesman for St Paul’s, where alumni include the chancellor George Osborne, said the welfare of its pupils is its highest priority.
The school has pledged full cooperation with the investigation and called for all living suspects to be “subjected to the proper processes of justice.”
Three arrests have been made as part of the inquiries.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
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