Jimmy Savile: Number of victims 'fast approaching 300'

It is thought the TV presenter and DJ, who died last year aged 84, may have abused scores of young girls and some boys over a 40-year period.

Last week detectives revealed the police inquiry, Operation Yewtree, had identified 200 victims.

The BBC's home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said more victims had come forward since last week.

He said some of them had been living abroad.

Our correspondent said sources close to Scotland Yard's investigation said they were also looking at "figures of high standing" who might have helped Savile.

Arrests expected

He said there is so far nothing to suggest a "paedophile ring" involving Savile existed - in the sense that children were passed around between adults to be abused.

But he said it is thought investigations are looking at those who may have assisted Savile, helped organise abuse, cover it up or taken part in assaults themselves.

No arrests have been made so far, though our correspondent said it is expected there will be arrests at some point.

Our correspondent said: "What they are looking at clearly are high-profile individuals who may also have taken part in abuse against children or teenagers or assisted Jimmy Savile in some way, tried to organise the abuse."

Savile was a household name in the 1970s and 1980s as the host of popular Saturday evening programme Jim'll Fix It and he also presented Top of The Pops and a number of other programmes.