Alan Jones charged with 24 historic offences against eight alleged victims

Former top broadcaster Alan Jones has been charged with 24 historic indecent assault and sexual touching offences against eight victims after being arrested this morning.

He has been charged with 24 historic offences, dating between 2001 and 2019, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault under authority, nine counts of assault with act of indecency and two counts of common assault.

Police arrested Jones at his Circular Quay home at 7.45am as they carried out a search warrant.

He has been given conditional bail and will appear at Downing Centre Court on December 18.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald told media the youngest of Jones’ alleged victims was aged 17 at the time the alleged offence took place.

“I wish to commend the investigators of Strike Force Bonnefin for their tenacity and their hard work in bringing this matter before the courts,” Fitzgerald said.

“Historical matters such as this are incredibly hard to investigate and bring before the courts, and I again congratulate them on their ongoing investigation.”

Fitzgerald confirmed reports published in Nine newspapers The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age resulted in some alleged victims coming forward to police.

He said a number of witnesses have also been assisting police in the investigation.

Fitzgerald said police will allege the charges of aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender involved an employment contract.

“The victims have our full support. This is what they have been asking for,” he said.

“These are serious charges.”

Detective superintendent Linda Howlett said Jones was “quite calm” when he was arrested today and sought legal advice.

In March 2024, State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin to investigate a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019.

Close to a dozen detectives have been seen coming and going from Jones’ luxury home during the execution of the search warrant this morning.

Jones left his home in the back of an unmarked police car shortly before 11.30am AEDT.

The Herald and the Age newspapers in recent months published allegations from a number of young men that they had been indecently assaulted by Jones.

Jones has strenuously denied all allegations.

The broadcaster, who retired from radio in 2020 and from television in 2021, was one of the most popular and influential in the industry.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, while declining to address the details directly, said earlier today that the arrest was the result of ”a very long, thorough, protracted investigation”.

“There’s no such thing as a matter that’s too old to be investigated,” she said.

“So what I say to victims is that there is no better time to come forward than now, and you will be listened to, and we will take your matter seriously.”