An investigation into John Smyth, an alleged prolific abuser linked to the Church of England, reveals systemic failures by police and church authorities that allowed Smyth to escape justice for decades. Despite being accused of abusing over 100 children and young men, it wasn’t until years later that police began investigating, after sustained media pressure and an internal review highlighted a cover-up. The report emphasizes the challenges law enforcement faced amid a surge of historical abuse cases but questions their lack of urgency in addressing Smyth’s actions, which ultimately went unpunished following his death in 2018.