‘More can be done’ to help young victims

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe responded yesterday to the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report into the scandal, which was published on March 12.

Speaking to the London Assembly police and crime committee, Sir Bernard said: “We’re having to review the way we carry out these inquiries. I think we all can have some confidence it’s far better than it was in 1957, in the 60s, 70s, 80s, but we shouldn’t be arrogant and think we can’t improve.”

He said the extent of child abuse was unknown because the issue was so under-reported, partly owing to people not always believing children.

He added that without people reporting child abuse, recognising the crime was difficult and more training was needed to help people interpret the signals.