Jimmy Savile: Headstone Removed By Family

The late television star's headstone is removed at his family's request after police revealed details of new sex abuse claims.

Police investigating sexual abuse allegations made against Sir Jimmy Savile say they are pursuing 120 leads going back 50 years. Sky's Katie Stallard reports.

Sir Jimmy Savile's headstone has been removed from his grave in Scarborough amid new sexual abuse claims.

Scotland Yard says up to 25 young girls were allegedly targeted by the late television star over a period dating back to 1959.

His family said it took the decision to remove his headstone, which bears Savile's image and lists his accomplishments, as a mark of respect to the families of those buried in the cemetery.

"The family members are deeply aware of the impact that the stone remaining there could have on the dignity and sanctity of the cemetery," a statement released on behalf of the family said.
"Out of respect to public opinion, to those who are buried there, and to those who tend their graves and visit there, we have decided to remove it."

Scarborough Borough Council said the work was carried out shortly before midnight - ahead of the scheduled time of 7.30 on Wednesday morning - to minimise disruption and potential vandalism.

A plaque outside Sir Jimmy's home has been defaced

Despite making the request, his family did not know it would be removed under the cover of night and the decision to do it then was made by the council and funeral directors.
The inscription on the headstone will be ground off, broken up and disposed of in a skip, and the grave will remain unmarked.

A number of memorials to Sir Jimmy have also been removed, including an inscription on the wall at Leeds Civic Hall in recognition of his charity work, and a street sign in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. A plaque outside his home has already been defaced.
Scores of sexual abuse claims against Sir Jimmy have been made to the police and the NSPCC charity in recent days.

It follows a documentary examining historic claims about the presenter's behaviour with children, which aired last week.
Commander Peter Spindler, head of specialist crime investigations at Scotland Yard, said the allegations span four decades, with information suggesting abuse was on a "national scale".

Allegations against Sir Jimmy span four decades, police say

"At this stage it is quite clear from what women are telling us that Savile was a predatory sex offender," he said.
Some 120 leads are being followed up by detectives.
Police have so far recorded two allegations of rape and six allegations of indecent assault against the former Top of the Pops presenter. The youngest alleged victim was 13 years old at the time.
Mr Spindler said the first allegation dates back to about 1959 but most claims seemed to be from the 1970s and 80s.
Sky News' crime correspondent Martin Brunt, who attended a briefing by detectives at the Met, said: "I think we now have acceptance by the investigators that the scale of this is truly big and growing."
Prime Minister David Cameron has hinted that Sir Jimmy could be posthumously stripped of his knighthood.

But the move would require a change in the law as technically, when the former DJ died last year, the honour ceased to exist.