In a development that has sent shockwaves through the UK and beyond, the Metropolitan Police announced on August 13, 2025, that 146 people have now come forward to report crimes as part of the ongoing investigation into the late Mohamed Al Fayed, the former Harrods owner and one-time Fulham FC boss. The figure, revealed in a video update sent to alleged victims earlier in the week, is more than double the 61 people who had reported allegations as of October last year, according to BBC and Sky News.
The investigation centers on decades of alleged sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault, reportedly perpetrated by Al Fayed between 1977 and 2014. Al Fayed, who died in August 2023 at the age of 94, was never charged with any offences despite mounting allegations. The Metropolitan Police have also been scrutinizing their own handling of historical complaints, as well as investigating whether individuals in Al Fayed’s orbit enabled or facilitated his alleged crimes.
Detective Inspector Karen Khan, in the video update, emphasized the complexity and scale of the inquiry, noting that women and men have reported crimes and that new witnesses continue to come forward. She stated, “It is difficult to say when the investigation might be concluded because of the sheer number of survivors who have come forward.” She also acknowledged a “reluctance” among some to trust the police, a sentiment echoed by many victims and advocates in recent months.
The Met’s approach to the investigation has evolved significantly, with a spokesperson saying, “The way the Met works has moved on immeasurably, and our teams have transformed the way we investigate rape and sexual offences. We’re working with partners across the criminal justice system to ensure that victim-survivors are at the heart of our response, with a greater focus on suspects and their offending.” The force continues to urge anyone with information—whether directly affected or aware of others involved—to come forward.
In July 2025, the force issued a formal apology to victims for the distress caused by Al Fayed’s alleged actions and the reality that he will never face justice. Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Craggs wrote in a letter leaked to the BBC, “Not least due to the fact that the main suspect will now never directly face justice for his crimes and, for this, I am truly sorry.” The apology followed reports that, prior to Al Fayed’s death, Scotland Yard had been approached by 21 women alleging sexual offences, including rape, sexual assault, and trafficking.
Al Fayed’s ownership of Harrods, from 1985 to 2010, is now indelibly linked to these allegations. The luxury London department store has responded by launching a compensation scheme for survivors. As of July 2025, more than 100 victims had entered the scheme, which remains open until March 31, 2026. According to Harrods, eligible applicants can receive up to £385,000 in compensation plus treatment costs if they agree to a psychiatric assessment, or up to £150,000 without. Survivors are also offered a meeting with a senior Harrods representative for an apology, either in person or via video, as well as a written apology.
The BBC documentary and podcast Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, broadcast in September 2024, played a pivotal role in bringing the extent of Al Fayed’s alleged predatory behavior to public attention. The program featured testimony from more than 20 female ex-Harrods employees who said Al Fayed sexually assaulted or raped them. After the documentary aired, dozens more women came forward with similar experiences. Harrods’ current owners responded to the investigation by stating they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that victims had been failed, for which the store sincerely apologized.
The investigation is not limited to Al Fayed alone. The Met has confirmed it is examining the potential involvement of at least five individuals who may have facilitated or enabled his alleged crimes. The investigation is wide-ranging, looking at possible facilitators and enablers, as well as allegations of police misconduct or corruption. According to The Guardian, officers have been accused of taking bribes to help Al Fayed persecute staff and avoid accusations of abuse. The Met has stated that it is “doing more to put victim-survivors at the heart of its response to these crimes.”
Legal complexities also surround the case. Earlier this year, Sky News reported on a compensation scheme designed by Harrods to award six-figure sums to women abused by Al Fayed. However, there has been confusion over the legal representation of Al Fayed’s estate, with the law firm Fladgate declining to comment on whether it was acting for the estate, citing confidentiality. Meanwhile, KP Law, representing some abuse survivors, has criticized the Harrods-led process, particularly over plans to take up to 25% of compensation payouts as fees.
The ongoing investigation has international dimensions as well. Detective Inspector Karen Khan noted in her update that the Met is working with international agencies, including foreign police forces, to gather evidence and support survivors. This cross-border cooperation reflects the global reach of Al Fayed’s business interests and the international backgrounds of some victims and witnesses.
As the investigation continues, the Met faces scrutiny not only for its current actions but also for its past handling of allegations. Two complaints against the Met Police regarding their response to reports about Al Fayed are being investigated by the force under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The force has pledged to provide more written or video updates to victims over the coming months, promising transparency where it will not jeopardize ongoing proceedings.
The story of Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged abuses and the subsequent reckoning by the Metropolitan Police and Harrods is emblematic of broader societal shifts in how institutions respond to historic sexual abuse allegations. The scale of the investigation, the number of survivors, and the public apologies from both police and Harrods mark a sea change in accountability and victim-centered approaches. Yet, for many survivors, the knowledge that Al Fayed will never be brought to justice remains a bitter pill.
With the compensation scheme open and the investigation ongoing, the hope for many is that the pursuit of truth, accountability, and support for those affected will continue, undeterred by the complexities and challenges that remain.