Officers are looking into claims involving 77 clubs in London, including five from Premier League, Metropolitan police says

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Officers are investigating 255 allegations of historical sexual abuse involving 77 football clubs in London, including five from the Premier League, the Metropolitan police have said.

All the capital’s top flight teams – Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United – are understood to be involved.

A Met spokesman said: “The allegations are connected with individuals at 77 named clubs or teams.

“The breakdown for those clubs is: five in the Premier League, three against Championship clubs, three against clubs in Leagues One and Two, and there have also been 66 other named clubs, which would include non-league or non-professional or amateur teams.”

DCS Ivan Balhatchet of the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command said: “The Met take all allegations seriously and specialist officers will work through the information passed to them.

“Anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault should contact their local force, or call the NSPCC helpline on 0800 023 2642.

“The Met will not be giving a commentary as this investigation develops and is not discussing the names of the clubs involved, or the number of allegations against each club.”

Earlier this month, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which is coordinating the nationwide police investigation Operation Hydrant, said more than 500 complainants and 184 potential suspects had been identified.

Latest figures put the number of potential victims at 526.