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Complaints have been received by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about 18 forces, including allegations of what it calls "high-level corruption". So far 27
inquiries have concluded leading to up to 15 officers facing potential disciplinary action, figures obtained by the BBC under Freedom of Information laws. More than a quarter of the probes
reportedly relate to South Yorkshire Police in its handling of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham. Allegations made against the Metropolitan Police account for 46 of the investigations,
some of which centre on allegations that investigations being halted and evidence suppressed. They are said to include allegations that investigations ended prematurely or prosecutions were
not pursued because the suspects were politicians, although these are far from being proven, the BBC said. Meanwhile, Essex Police faces 58 probes. The forces are among 17 in England and one
in Wales that face investigations. The IPCC's director of major investigations, Julian Blazeby, said: "We continue to receive referrals on police actions in child sexual abuse
cases from forces across the country. "The IPCC is committed to investigating the most sensitive and serious incidents of alleged police wrongdoing and many child sexual abuse cases
fall within that remit."