Five serving detectives have been served with misconduct notices and two former officers are being investigated over how they handled allegations relating to Jimmy Savile, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

The watchdog said that inquiries were being made into how officers working for Sussex, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Surrey police forces dealt with claims about Savile's sexual behaviour.

Two officers with Sussex Police, along with two of their supervisors, are being investigated over their handling of a reported indecent assault carried out by Savile in 1970.

IPCC deputy chairwoman Sarah Green said: "The investigation is examining interactions between Sussex Police officers and the victim and whether all lines of inquiry were properly pursued."

A serving detective sergeant with North Yorkshire Police has also been served with a misconduct notice over how he handled information from a 15-year-old girl regarding Savile in January 2002.

The investigation got under way following a ­referral from North Yorkshire Police in April. A former inspector with West Yorkshire along with retired detective inspector with Surrey Police are also under investigation.