The number of clubs affected by British football’s historical child sexual abuse scandal has grown to 248, as the scale of the scandal continues to grow.

The number of clubs – both amateur and professional – affected has risen by 100 since the last update four weeks ago, according to figures released on Wednesday by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

The wave of accusations comes after a series of former footballers came forward following the decision of former Crewe defender Andy Woodward to waive his right to anonymity to reveal in an interview with the Guardian that he had been a victim of sexual abuse.

Woodward’s account of the horrific abuse he suffered from the age of 11 by one of his coaches triggered an flood of allegations from other players.

Operation Hydrant, the coordination hub set up in 2014 to deal with historic abuse cases, has received 1,016 referrals from the NSPCC’s dedicated football hotline and police forces around the country, up from 819 before Christmas. The operation has so far identified 184 suspects and 526 potential victims, of whom 97% are male, with an age range from four to 20 when the alleged abuse took place.

The majority of these referrals relate to football but victims from 22 different other sports including rugby, gymnastics, tennis, swimming and golf have been identified.

“Operation Hydrant is beginning to see a decrease in the number of referrals being received via the NSPCC helpline and directly to forces relating to allegations of abuse within football, and other sports,” said chief constable Simon Bailey, the NPCC lead for child protection, in a statement.

“Allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse are complex and often require specialist skills and knowledge, and can take time to progress. However, all allegations and information received by police forces across the country are being acted upon.

“We continue to urge anyone who may have been a victim of child sexual abuse to report it by dialling 101, or contacting the dedicated NSPCC helpline, regardless of how long ago the abuse may have taken place. We will listen and treat all reports sensitively and seriously. Anyone with any information regarding child sexual abuse is also urged to come forward.

“When allegations are reported it enables police to assess whether there are current safeguarding risks and ensure that appropriate action is being taken to prevent children being abused today.”

Funded by the Football Association, the NSPCC hotline was set up in early December and is available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642. The FA has also instigated an independent review, led by Clive Sheldon QC, into its handling of abuse allegations in the years before 2005.These referrals have resulted in the identification of 184 suspects and 526 potential victims, of whom 97% are male, with an age range from four to 20.