So why ask for even more evidence?
The senior policing source said: “They could be in a position where they’re aware that there is some information, but they can’t get to it. It may be they need someone to put their hand up first.”
There is, though, a danger that a public appeal for potential victims of sex offences could backfire, as the Metropolitan Police found when it appealed for information as part of its Operation Midland investigation into allegations of a Westminster paedophile ring.
It resulted in fantasists coming forward and making false allegations before the original complainant, Carl Beech, was jailed for perverting the course of justice.
The public appeal has also focused minds on the issue of who should be in charge of the investigation into the former prince.
As well as Thames Valley, eight other police forces are investigating or assessing claims made about Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, and there are calls for a single body, such as the National Crime Agency, to take control.
‘Chief constable may want a bit of the glory’
A senior policing figure said: “It would make perfect sense for one agency or force to do it all. Thames Valley Police doing it bit by bit, especially in terms of their capacity, is not as desirable as one law enforcement agency doing the whole thing.
“It would make more sense for the Met to be the lead force because they have more capacity. The most efficient, and likely to be the most effective, approach would be for one force to be in the lead.”
The source added: “It may be that the chief constable wants a bit of the glory, to put it bluntly. Sometimes police forces have rivalries, and the King’s brother is one hell of a big fish to catch.”
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has set up a steering group to co-ordinate the investigations being carried out by different forces, and the National Crime Agency is providing expert advice.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at Wood Farm in the Sandringham Estate on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Feb 19 – his 66th birthday. He was released under investigation after spending more than 12 hours in police custody. He denies any wrongdoing.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
