Saville Abuse Investigation into Exeter Children's Home

New Investigations into allegations of child abuse by  Jimmy Savile include an investigation into an Exeter Children’s home that closed in 1986.

The historic investigation into Collette Lodge in Exeter comes as new information from the Metropolitan Police opens 21 new investigations into children’s homes and schools across England and Wales.

 Investigators from Operation Yewtree have handed allegations dating back to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s to the Department for Education (DfE).

In a written statement Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "This information was uncovered as part of the document review process undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service on behalf of the Department of Health.

"Having reviewed the information, I have decided that the Department for Education should pass the information to the appropriate organisations for further investigation.

"In most cases the work will be conducted by the relevant local authority; in others the relevant institution or a legacy organisation will take the lead."

The investigation in Exeter will be led by Devon county Council who ran the home prior to 1986.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: “Devon is among a number of local authorities who have been asked to lead on a local investigation as a result of information received via Operation Yewtree into the activities of Jimmy Savile,”

“The historic investigation will centre on Colletton Lodge in Exeter which closed as a council-run children’s home in 1986. Anyone with any concerns or information likely to be relevant to this investigation is urged to contact 0345 155 1071.”

Allegations also concern schools and children’s homes in Yorkshire, London, Manchester, Kent, Surrey and will join NHS investigations into 33 hospitals' links with Savile after police passed information to the Department of Health.

Police believe that before his death in October 2011 Savile had abused more than 200 people.