Commander Angela Craggs stated the replace “marks an important step in a complex and far-reaching investigation” and that “victims remain at the centre”.
“While Al Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution, we have always been determined to bring anyone who is suspected to have played a part in his offending to justice,” Craggs added.
Multiple women have accused Al Fayed, who owned the luxurious Harrods retailer between 1985 and 2010, of rape and sexual assault. He died in 2023 aged 94.
At the time of many of the alleged assaults, Fayed was the proprietor of Harrods, the Ritz Paris resort and soccer membership Fulham FC.
In a press release on Friday, the Met Police stated no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
The power stated to this point, 154 victims have come ahead and reported allegations of sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Information gathered from these victims “has broadened the scope of the inquiry to cover all reported offences including human trafficking,” it stated.
Earlier this week, the previous head of the Met’s anti-trafficking unit, Phil Brewer, informed the BBC he couldn’t perceive why the operation was not already a trafficking investigation.
Brewer stated it made sense to make Operation Cornpoppy – which is wanting into what function people could have performed in facilitating or enabling Al Fayed’s alleged offending – a trafficking investigation.
He stated this could develop the “investigative strategy”.
The Met Police known as for anybody with data to contact them, including that data may also be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by way of their on-line kind.
Harrods has beforehand stated it “apologises unreservedly for the sexual abuse inflicted upon survivors by Fayed”, and arrange a compensation scheme for his victims.
The retailer additionally informed the BBC earlier this week an impartial exterior investigation it established into whether or not any present staff knew concerning the alleged abuse was “now concluding”.
The retailer has already reached monetary settlements with the bulk of individuals who have approached them since 2023.
