A POLICE officer has been cleared of misconduct over the way he investigated allegations of abuse against Jimmy Savile and a former Mayor of Scarborough.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) says the North Yorkshire officer, who is now a detective sergeant, acted 'diligently and professionally' in relation to cases against the disgraced DJ, who died in 2011, and ex-Mayor Peter Jaconelli.

However, it said he should have submitted an intelligence report about Savile, based on his inquiries, which might have helped future investigations.

The IPCC investigation looked at how the force handled information received in 2002 from a woman in her late 30s, that she had been sexually abused by Savile when she was 15.

It also investigated how it treated two disclosures in relation to child abuse in 2008 and 2009 from a serving prisoner regarding Jaconelli, who died in 1999.

The IPCC found the officer failed to complete intelligence reports in the investigation into the prisoner’s disclosures, but it said 'management action' against the officer for unsatisfactory performance in these respects had since been taken by North Yorkshire Police.

North Yorkshire's Assistant Chief Constable, Paul Kennedy, said the force welcomed the IPCC report, saying: "While there are learning points to take from the report, it is also balanced by acknowledging the officer’s tenacity and competence in dealing with serious matters.

“We see the devastating effects of sexual abuse which can last a life time and would like to reassure victims that since the events referred to in the report, there have been many improvements across North Yorkshire Police in the way sexual crimes are dealt with.

“All reports are treated with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity, and as acknowledged in the IPCC’s report, we now have specially trained officers who are dedicated to investigating such offences.

"They are highly trained and experienced in this specialist area of investigation. We also work with a range of partner agencies who can provide victims with support and advice. Even if it is not possible for a criminal case to be brought before the courts due to the passage of time, victims can still receive support to help them come to terms with what has happened and move on with their lives.”

IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley said: “North Yorkshire Police has previously admitted that they missed opportunities to look into allegations against both Savile and Jaconelli while they were alive.

“Had intelligence information been better recorded it would have helped build up a picture of Savile and Jaconelli’s activities.

“However in terms of a detective constable who had a primary role in both the investigations, we examined these omissions and found that, while of concern, they did not amount, in the view of the investigation, to a case to answer for misconduct.”