Met officers arrested in rape and kidnap inquiry

The Met said two officers, based in the North West command unit, have been suspended from duty

Two serving Metropolitan Police officers have been arrested following an alleged kidnap and rape.

The Met said it follows an incident that "began in Kingston" in south-west London on Sunday while the officers were off-duty.

A third man, who is not a police officer, was arrested on suspicion of kidnap.

The force said both officers have been suspended from duty and the case has been referred to the police watchdog and the Met's directorate of professional standards.

In a statement, the Met said a woman is being supported by specially trained officers.

A spokesperson said one officer was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of kidnap, rape and common assault, and after consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), was bailed to return on a date in June in relation to the rape.

He was released with no further action in relation to the other alleged offences.

The second officer was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and possession of class A drugs, but was released with no further action following consultation with the CPS.

The third man was also released with no further action.

It comes as Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the force has redeployed dozens of officers from tackling serious crime and terrorism to investigate Met officers suspected of wrongdoing.

The Met began rechecking staff accused of domestic abuse and sexual violence in the 10 years to April 2022 following the conviction of David Carrick, a Met officer who carried out a series of rapes during his career, and the jailing of Wayne Couzens for the rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

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