DETECTIVES investigating child sex abuse allegations are appealing to people to come forward with information about a friend of Jimmy Savile.

North Yorkshire Police has launched a drive to identify possible victims of former North Yorkshire County Council planning chairman Peter Jaconelli, following claims by a number of people that they were targeted by him.

The call for details about the 21-stone ice cream trader and restaurateur, who died aged 73 in 1999, follows the force asking the Independent Police Complaints Commission to investigate its handling of historic child abuse allegations involving Savile and Jaconelli.

The force said that such is the evidence against the former Mayor of Scarborough, that had he been alive he would have been interviewed under caution and a file submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Jaconelli, who trained as an opera singer, was a high-profile figure in the town.

He has been linked to helping improve the fortunes of the resort’s 750-year-old port.

A police spokesman said: “It is important that victims are able to access the specialist support services that are readily available, and that we gather all the evidence in respect of this matter. “

Victims and people with information are urged to call the force on 101, and pass details to the Force Control Room quoting Operation Hibiscus, or to email MajorCrimeUnit@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk