Call to ‘draw a line’ in historic sex abuse investigations

Former head of the army Field Marshall Lord Bramall was last week cleared over historic child sex abuse allegations. The 92-year-old's house had been raided by more than 20 officers and he waited a year before being told officers would not be proceeding with their investigation. His case has again put the way that police are investigating high-profile historical child abuse claims under the spotlight. Other well-known figures who have been cleared over allegations include comedian Jim Davidson and the broadcasters Paul Gambaccini and Dr Fox. It has led to claims from Lord Bramall and others that the failure to catch Jimmy Savile prompted a witch hunt.

Criminologist Roger Graef (Grayf), writing in the Sunday Times yesterday, said a line should be drawn in cases were offenders pose no further risk - he and Eamon Keane discuss