Cyril Smith Investigation – update

Cyril Smith

Northamptonshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said: “On behalf of Northamptonshire Police, I would like to reassure everyone there is a complete transparency in the investigation into allegations that Cyril Smith was stopped in Northamptonshire with indecent images of children in the early 1980’s.

“A through and far-reaching investigation by the Forces Cold Case Team is continuing and we have been working with other forces in the wider investigation.

“We have actively spoken to the author of the book where the original claims were made and he and his co-author, and journalist who investigated Smith, have all been interviewed.

“A large number of former and serving officers, who were serving in various ranks at the time of the alleged incident, and a member of the police staff, have also been interviewed, and none can support the events alleged in Mr Danczuk’s book.

“We have made enquiries with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and no archive CPS materials relating to the specific allegations can be found.

“As yet, no witnesses have been found in relation to these allegations, however, we are continuing to search our archives and have widened the scope of our witness search, which includes contacting the people who were chief officers at the time.

“The investigation will continue until all reasonable lines of enquiry have been exhausted and the public can be assured that further updates will be provided as soon as we are in a position to do so.”