The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)have identified 83 potential suspects in connection with the horrific sex abuse scandal that has rocked the world of football.
In a press conference reported byThe Sun,Simon Bailey, the lead for theNPCC, said: Allegations received by police forces across the country are being swiftly acted upon.
We are ensuring an efficient and effective service-wide approach to investigating allegations, removing the potential for duplication and enabling the timely and effective sharing of intelligence and information between forces."
Mr Bailey added:We are also liaising closely with the Football Association to ensure all relevant information they hold is shared to inform investigations moving forward.�
We continue to urge anyone who may have been a victim of child sexual abuse to report it by dialling 101, or contacting the dedicated NSPCC helpline, regardless of how long ago the abuse may have taken place.
We will listen and treat all reports sensitively and seriously. Anyone with any information regarding child sexual abuse is also urged to come forward.�
Edward Smethurst, lawyer for Offside Trust -a group representing former footballers who were victims of abuse -believes the extent of this scandal is only just beginning to surface.
Smethurstsaid:"Where there is something of a very, very serious criminal nature involving children there is an over-arching need for transparency so that others can come forward.There may be other people involved."
Smethurst went on to suggest that some of those involved in the abuse may still be active in the footballing world today, saying:"Are there people involved in the game today where victims have made specific allegations? The answer is yes."
In a month that has seen football clubs, such as Chelsea,admitting to offering money to victims in order to keep them from speaking out, the lawyerexplained thereason as to why many victims have kept their abuse quiet up until now, saying:
"Victims who have come forward to us have made mention of confidentiality clauses being used.
"They are now wanting to come forward because they believe the use of those clauses was inappropriate.We need to sit down with those clients, look at the documentation and see what evidence there was, but we have been told by a number of victims that these clauses have been used."