Individuals at four London Premier League clubs probed over historic sex abuse

Individuals at four London-based Premier League clubs are among those being investigated over historic sex abuse, the Met Police has said.

Scotland Yard revealed they are currently probing 106 separate allegations relating to people at 30 football clubs in London.

The force has not named the clubs involved but said that four are in the top division, two in the Championship and three in League One and League Two. A further 21 are non-league, non-professional or amateur teams.

There are five London teams in the Premier League – Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Last week, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said 83 potential suspects linked to almost 100 clubs across the country have been identified in connection with allegations of historical child sex abuse in football.

Detectives said at the time they were investigating some 639 potential cases referred to officers from the NSPCC's helpline, with victims aged from as young as seven up to 20 at the time of the alleged abuse.

The allegations are said to span all tiers of football, from amateur teams to premier league clubs, with 98 clubs reference to by victims.

The flood of abuse claims came after former footballer Andy Woodward broke his silence to allege he was abused by a coach as a young player in the 1980s.

Several other former footballers have since come forward also saying they too were abused.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ivan Balhatchet, of the Met Police, said: "The Met take all allegations seriously, and specialist officers will work through the information passed to them.

"The number of referrals, pieces of information and allegations will change. Officers will continue to work through the information that has been reported.

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