AN investigation into how a detective handled allegations of historic child abuse by Jimmy Savile has found the officer should have filed a report about the TV presenter nine years before his death.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) also found the North Yorkshire Police detective sergeant, who has not been named, investigated diligently and professionally when handed information in 2002 from a woman in her late 30s that she had been sexually abused by Savile when she was 15.

It concluded the officer also had no case to answer over two disclosures from a serving prisoner in 2008 and 2009 in relation to child abuse, regarding Savile's friend the late ex-Mayor of Scarborough Peter Jaconelli, who died in 1999.

The IPCC also found the officer, who was based at Scarborough, failed to complete intelligence reports in the investigation into the prisoner’s disclosures.

Management action against the officer for unsatisfactory performance in these respects has since been taken by the force.

The police investigation into the disclosures concluded it was not possible to substantiate any of the information provided and eventually there were no other lines of enquiry that could be continued.

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.”

The IPCC also has an independent investigation under way into how the force handled a report received in October 2000 from a man alleging, as a young boy in the early 1970s, that he was sexually assaulted by Peter Jaconelli at locations in the Scarborough area.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said the force welcomed the IPCC report.

He added: "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.

"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.”