INVESTIGATORS should concentrate on catching living paedophiles rather than pursuing claims against Sir Jimmy Savile, according to Huddersfield’s MP.

Barry Sheerman made the remarks yesterday just before Scotland Yard announced it would launch a criminal investigation into claims the late DJ sexually abused dozens of girls.

The Labour MP told Radio Leeds: “I think we go mad with the number of inquiries.

“How many people from TV, the NHS, the police will be involved in this inquiry about a man who we’re pretty sure was wicked, but who is dead.

“Children are vulnerable to predators today.”

The Labour backbencher added he was not surprised Sir Jimmy had not been prosecuted during his lifetime.

“He was a very big celebrity,” said the MP.

“The people who knew about his behaviour were vulnerable young people who would have been terrified about appearing in court with a well-known star.”

Mr Sheerman added he had met the DJ when he took his two daughters to watch the filming of an episode of Jim’ll Fix It.

The MP made the comments yesterday morning just before Scotland Yard launched a formal probe into Sir Jimmy.