(cv) The Independent
British authorities are investigating police officers who knew about the alleged abuse and allegedly protected the former owner of Harrods.
Police suspect that Mohamed Al Fayed, the late former owner of Harrods, may have sexually assaulted and raped at least 111 women and girls over nearly four decades, with victims reportedly as young as 13.
If proven, this fact would place Al Fayed among Britain’s most prolific sex offenders. your death in 2023aged 94, has not stopped inquiries, with Scotland Yard now investigating allegations of abuse between 1977 and 2014, reports .
Scotland Yard has identified five unidentified individuals who may have facilitated the alleged crimes by Al Fayed. In addition, the Independent Office for Police Conduct is considering launching an investigation into possible failings or corruption within the Metropolitan Police during previous investigations into the allegations.
Since a BBC documentary aired in September, 90 women presented new allegations against Al Fayed, which join the 21 cases reported to the police between 2005 and his death. The Metropolitan Police are carrying out a review of previous investigations, including more than 50,000 pages of evidence and archived material, to determine whether previous opportunities to hold Al Fayed to account were missed.
The investigation also focused on allegations of corruption involving police officers who may have protected Al Fayed of the scrutiny. Testimony from former Harrods security officers suggests that some agents received bribes, luxury items and even cell phones to ensure that Al Fayed was not investigated. A former security director alleged that these agents were under the direct control of Al Fayed’s security chief, a former detective.
Scotland Yard has underlined its determination to thoroughly address the historical allegations, including the misconduct by current or former agents. “While these cases date back more than a decade, we are committed to understanding, being open about any failures and improving our response to survivors,” a Met spokesperson said.
The investigation highlights the questions that remain about how these alleged widespread abuses could go undetected for so long and whether systemic failures in law enforcement allowed the crimes to continue.
