Police officer charged with child sex offences

Avon and Somerset Police said his arrest was part of a proactive police operation

A serving police officer has been charged with a number of child sex offences.

Insp Thomas Kettleborough, 35, who was based at Avon and Somerset Police's headquarters, was arrested on suspicion of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence in July 2023.

He was interviewed and released on conditional bail, and suspended from duties, but further enquiries led to him being arrested on suspicion of further offences on 19 March.

He is due to appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after being charged with further sexual offences and assaulting a police officer.

Insp Thomas Kettleborough, who was based at Avon and Somerset Police's headquarters, has also been charged with assaulting a fellow police officer

Avon and Somerset Police said his arrest was part of a proactive police operation led by the Online Investigations Team at the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised a number of charges against him, including arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

They also include five counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, four counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child and the assault of an emergency worker.

Trust in policing 'remains fragile'

Police said Insp Kettleborough was involved with two voluntary organisations - the Royal Marine Cadets and the Royal Lifesaving Society UK - but confirmed none of the offences related to these roles.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: “We know the public’s trust and confidence in policing nationally remains fragile and we have a shared desire to increase the confidence the public have in us.

"We will continue to take decisive action and be clear about what behaviours and standards we expect from our people. Where these standards are not met, we’ll take swift and robust action."

She added that the force had "worked closely" with the voluntary organisations Insp Kettleborough was involved with and had "prioritised" safeguarding measures.

A spokesperson for the force also confirmed that its own Professional Standards Department was carrying out an internal investigation.

They urged anyone with information relating to Insp Kettleborough's alleged offences to contact them.