PAedos in the Beeb allegedly
PAEDOPHILES working on EastEnders preyed on under-age fans who hung around the set hoping for autographs, police believe.
A team of officers are investigating a group of “mature adults” thought to have been employed by the BBC soap in the 1980s and ’90s.
It is believed parts of the EastEnders set in Elstree, Herts, have been searched.
Officers have also visited cheap hotels near the sprawling film studios, where EastEnders has been filmed since it began in 1985.
The movements of people connected with the show over a period of 20 years in various capacities have been monitored.
An insider said: “Arrests are very likely. This is bigger than anyone imagined.”
A six-member Special Operations unit has been set up to work full-time on the investigation — an indicator of the serious nature of the claims.
The officers have been seconded from Child Protection units at Scotland Yard and Herts Police.
The insider added: “A lot of work has been done over the last few months.
“In today’s cash-strapped times, police only launch Special Ops units if they have enough evidence in the first place.
“A six-strong team is significant and shows how seriously senior officers are taking this.
“Top police bosses have been shocked at what they have unearthed so far and are determined to finish the job.”
It is not alleged that senior production staff or cast members, either past or present, are suspects or knew of illegal activities.
And those working on recent series are not under suspicion.
The inquiry has allegedly uncovered a former worker who is believed to have been dealing drugs on set.
Sources close to the investigation suggest officers could make arrests any day.
The suspects are said to have befriended and groomed youngsters who waited at the Elstree gates in the hope of getting the autographs of stars.
It is believed police have taken statements from alleged victims and wish to interview others who may have been preyed on by the paedophile ring.
The investigation is unrelated to any other ongoing cases involving soap stars.
A BBC spokesman said last night: “The BBC is not aware of this investigation but we take any allegations of this nature extremely seriously. We will be approaching the police to ascertain the details and to offer our full co-operation.”
Proof of a paedophile ring within EastEnders would be a devastating blow to the BBC in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
And it would put a question mark over the future of the soap.
BBC DJ and Jim’ll Fix It host Savile is feared to have sexually abused up to 450 adults and children over a 50-year period.
The BBC was accused of a cover-up when it dropped a Newsnight investigation into Savile’s crimes shortly after his death in 2011.
An inquiry is investigating whether BBC bosses were aware that Savile preyed on some of his victims on its premises.
Some witness claim they were ignored when they raised concerns with BBC bosses about Savile’s suspicious behaviour.
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