DETECTIVES are stepping up their investigation into disgraced surgeon Richard Neale, The Northern Echo can reveal.

North Yorkshire Police have doubled the size of the team looking into the activities of the former consultant at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton.

The inquiry - codenamed Operation Harness - is the second investigation into the disgraced doctor.

Three years ago, detectives investigated allegations focusing on the deaths of three of Neale's former patients and allegations of assault and deception.

Neale was struck off the medical register in 2000 for botching operations, lying to patients and altering records after the General Medical Council (GMC) found 34 out of 35 sample charges were proven.

But the two-man team abandoned the first inquiry after two years, citing a lack of evidence.

This time around, four officers are part of the investigation team, backed by two civilian administrative support staff. And the new team is casting its net far wider.

A dedicated helpline has been set up in the hope that new witnesses will come forward with information.

Today, a new appeal from North Yorkshire Police will be made to the 300 members of the Action and Support Group for Medical Victims of Richard Neale in the form of a letter.

The letter - circulated by group founder and leader Sheila Wright-Hogeland - makes it clear the police are looking for new evidence as well as revisiting previous witnesses.

In the letter, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Boynton states: "This will be an energetic investigation of existing evidence already submitted and we also wish to gather new evidence if possible.

"The inquiry can best be described as a detailed search for the truth. To that end I invite you to supply me with any evidence you may have which could assist the inquiry.

"The investigation will look at criminal offences in particular allegations of assault and fraud."

The decision to reinvestigate allegations made against the former gynaecologist followed complaints by former patients about the conduct of the first police investigation.

That inquiry was abandoned after the Crown Prosecution Service said there were no grounds for prosecution.

His victims have always been angry that Neale managed to get a job at the Friarage in 1985, despite being struck off in Canada after the deaths of two patients.

In a circular letter that accompanies the police appeal, Mrs Wright-Hogeland, urges new witnesses to come forward, as well as those who have given evidence in the past.

"It is imperative that you get in touch with North Yorkshire Police and give them all your evidence on Neale, whether it is of a medical nature or whether it relates to the allegations of fraud, deception and dishonesty perpetuated by Neale, or both," says Mrs Wright-Hogeland, who lives near Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire.

Graham Maloney, treasurer of the Neale victim support group, said: "It certainly looks as if the police are taking this very seriously this time around.

"Hopefully, people will come forward and give them the information they need."

An inquiry into how the NHS responded to complaints against Neale is expected to be published soon.

* The Operation Harness helpline is (01423) 539854.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.