Since the documentary first aired, a further 65 women have contacted the BBC saying they were abused by Mohamed Al Fayed, with allegations stretching far beyond Harrods and as far back as 1977.
Al Fayed, who died aged 94 in 2023, took over the luxury department store in 1985 and sold it in 2010.
The Metropolitan Police said the 40 new allegations are in addition to the 21 allegations they were aware of prior to the broadcast of the BBC documentary. It brings the total number of allegations reported to the force to 61.
Cdr Stephen Clayman said: “Since the broadcast of the documentary and our recent appeal, detectives have received numerous pieces of information, predominantly relating to the activities of Mohamed Al Fayed but some relating to the actions of others.
Whilst there is no prospect of conviction against Al Fayed, the Metropolitan Police said it continues to explore whether any other individuals could be pursued for any criminal offences.
The force is continuing to appeal to anyone who has been a victim of Al Fayed or has information relating to those who facilitated his offending.
It added a full review of previous allegations continues and it has identified 21 separate allegations reported to the force about Al Fayed prior to the BBC broadcast.
The review will ensure there are no new lines of enquiry based on information that has emerged and will liaise with the Directorate of Professional Standards if needed.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has told the BBC it has asked the Metropolitan Police whether anything needs to be referred to it for investigation and internal force review is ongoing.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “Following the TV documentary on Mohamed Al-Fayed, we contacted the Metropolitan Police Service to see whether it had received any related complaints or identified any conduct issues which would require a referral to the IOPC.
The Met Police is conducting a review, the spokesperson said, and the watchdog has not yet had any referrals about the force’s handling of the allegations.
