Cyril Smith abused boys, police say But on both occasions it was decided not to proceed with a criminal prosecution. Last night both Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the CPS said if he was still alive today, Smith, who died in 2010, would be charged and prosecuted. A GMP spokesman said: "The Force is now publicly acknowledging that young boys were victims of physical and sexual abuse committed by Smith." Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood added: "Although Smith cannot be charged or convicted posthumously, from the overwhelming evidence we have it is right and proper we should publicly recognise that young boys were sexually and physically abused and we will offer them as much support as they need should they wish to speak to us." Nazir Afzal, the current Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West conceded: "The decision made in 1970 would not be made by the CPS today." Smith, who was elected to Parliament in 1972 as MP for Rochdale, was dogged by rumours of sexual abuse throughout his career. In 1970, when he was a leading councillor and secretary of the Rochdale Hostel for Boys Association, Lancashire Police launched an investigation into allegations that he had abused youngsters at the Cambridge House Children's Home in the town during the 1960s. Police said the claims of abuse were all very similar in nature and were allegedly conducted on the pretext of either medical examination or punishment for misbehaviour. But when a file was submitted to the DPP, he wrote back saying: "I do not consider that if proceedings for indecent assault were to be taken against Smith there would be a reasonable prospect of conviction." Almost 30-years later during an investigation into allegations of historic child abuse in Wales one of the original complainants again came forward to make a complaint against Smith, Greater Manchester Police investigated the claims and again passed a file to prosecutors asking them to review the evidence from the 1970 file. This time the CPS ruled that while there was sufficient evidence to bring charges, the case would probably collapse because Smith had been told he would not be prosecuted for the same offences almost 30-years earlier. In 1999 two further complainants were identified but prosecutors concluded there was no fresh evidence. Mr Afzal acknowledged that the decisions of the past would not be repeated in similar circumstances today and urged the victims of child abuse not to fear coming forward. He said: "Prosecutors, police officers and judges have a much better understanding than ever before of how these offences are committed. Any victims who are considering coming forward should not be dissuaded by the decisions of the past.