Savile abused 29 people at hospitals in West Yorkshire

The latest information follows the publication last week of West Yorkshire Police’s report into its dealings with the disgraced Leeds-born entertainer.

A total of 79 crimes involving 68 victims were committed by Savile in the county, though police say none were previously reported to them prior to his death.

Of the offences that took place in local hospitals, the main location was Leeds General Infirmary. The hospital saw 23 complaints from victims, with ages ranging from five to 34.

Two of the victims were at St James’s Hospital in Leeds and were aged five to 12. One victim is unsure whether it was St James’s or the infirmary due to the passage of time.

Another victim, who was aged 15 at the time of the offence, was at Dewsbury and District Hospital, and two aged five and 45 were at High Royds Hospital, the former psychiatric hospital at Menston, near Leeds.

A police statement said: “In some cases it has not been possible to ascertain the age at the time of the offence as there are some offences where the victim has not provided a date of birth.”

A spokesman from Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust said: “A thorough independent investigation into Jimmy Savile’s association with hospitals in Leeds is currently underway and is expected to report later this year.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while that work is still going on.”

The team leading the independent investigation into Savile’s offending at Leeds hospitals recently urged anyone who came into contact with him to come forward before the end of May.

The probe is being chaired by Prof Sue Proctor, Diocesan Secretary of Ripon and Leeds, and led by Ray Galloway, a former detective superintendent with North Yorkshire Police.

The West Yorkshire Police report published last week found “no evidence” that Savile was protected from arrest or prosecution by his relationship with the force.

But it highlighted an “over-reliance on personal friendships” between Savile and some officers, and admitted mistakes were made in handling intelligence.

The report was criticised by campaigners and it later emerged that Savile had abused four five-year-old victims rather than just one, as stated by police.

Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson yesterday ordered an investigation into how West Yorkshire Police deals with allegations of misconduct by officers. London’s former top police advisor, Catherine Crawford, has been appointed to carry out the “root and branch” review.