Image copyright Thinkstock Image caption Police Scotland say they have identified 110 suspects as part of 58 separate investigations into historic sex abuse

Detectives investigating historic child sex abuse in Scotland have identified 110 suspects, including 37 VIPs.

The figures, released by Police Scotland, relate to Operation Hydrant, which was set up to look at allegations.

The force currently has 58 separate investigations as part of the UK-wide probe.

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said the volume of allegations presented a "massive" challenge.

As part of a briefing for Operation Hydrant, Police Scotland said 110 suspects had so far been investigated, with 37 being classed as "persons of public prominence".

Four of them came from the worlds of TV, film or radio, while 33 were listed as having a "significant public profile" nationally or locally.

Leisure clubs

A total of 99 people were suspected of carrying out abuse within 45 institutions, police said, including educational, social care and religious establishments.

One institution was a health premises, while four establishments were leisure clubs.

The earliest offence took place in 1947, according to police, and the most recent was in 2013.

Police said there were a total of 110 suspects, of whom 80 had been named. Twenty six of those 80 have since died.

A total of 1,400 suspects had been identified UK-wide, including 261 people of "public prominence", including politicians, and 135 celebrities from TV, radio and film.

Last month, Police Scotland announced the launch of the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit to lead on large-scale, complex and high-profile investigations.

'Protect children'

ACC Graham, of Police Scotland's major crime and public protection division, said joint operations with other UK forces were having "real benefits" for Scottish investigations.

He added: "We are fully supportive and a key part of Operation Hydrant.

"We have a number of live investigations which are ongoing and which it would be wrong to comment on at this stage.

"The challenges facing the police service to offer routes to justice for survivors of historic abuse while continuing to safeguard and protect children who are at risk of harm today, are massive.

"Police Scotland will remain committed to treating all victims of sexual abuse, regardless of the passage of time, with sensitivity and respect."