Third former officer arrested over child sex abuse

The investigation is being handled by the Independent Office for Police Conduct

A former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officer has been arrested on suspicion of raping a teenage girl in Rotherham in 2004.

The former police constable, aged in his 50s, was held on Monday as part of an investigation into historical child exploitation and abuse by SYP officers.

He is the third retired officer to be arrested, after six women made complaints about historical child exploitation and abuse.

The former officer was questioned and released on bail.

The investigation is being run by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Monday's arrest follows the arrest of two former SYP officers - also based in Rotherham - late last year, on suspicion of sexual offences and misconduct in public office.

It is claimed the alleged abuse took place when the officers were both on and off duty, between 1995 and 2002.

'File of evidence'

The investigation is being carried out by SYP's major crime unit, under the direction of the IOPC.

It began after the South Yorkshire force referred a complaint to the IOPC in October 2024. This was followed by complaints from a second woman in November last year, and further complaints from two other women in December.

In late January 2025, a fifth person made a complaint.

Last week saw a sixth complaint which led to the retired officer's arrest on Monday.

IOPC Director Emily Barry said: "We are now investigating serious complaints by six women of sexual offending by former SYP officers.

"These complaints are being handled sensitively and thoroughly investigated, and a third former officer has now been arrested.

"At the end of the investigation we will decide whether a file of evidence will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider criminal charges."

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