Police face hundreds of sexual assault complaints

PolicePA Media

At least 750 allegations of sexual misconduct were made against serving police officers across Britain over five years, new figures show.

Data was obtained from 31 police forces in England, Wales and Scotland under the Freedom of Information Act.

Forces were asked how many complaints of sexual assault were made against police officers between 2016 and 2020.

The End Violence Against Women Coalition said few officers faced "any meaningful consequences".

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The police must raise the bar and, at a time where they are in the spotlight, they must ensure their actions are beyond reproach.

"This includes being transparent when officers have fallen below the standards the public expect of them, and being clear on the forces' response."

Data, obtained by PA Media's Radar service, shows that most complaints, where gender was recorded, were against male officers.

Allegations could be historical, and the responses did not indicate whether any of the officers were on duty at the time. At least 34 cases resulted in a dismissal.

There are 43 police forces in England and Wales, plus Police Scotland, and others including the British Transport Police.

The End Violence Against Women Coalition, which includes groups such as Rape Crisis, Refuge and Women's Aid, said "widespread institutional failings" needed to be addressed.

Deputy director Denzi Ugur said: "We need to see a radical overhaul of how the police respond to violence against women - especially within their own ranks.

"This means greater accountability and urgent, co-ordinated and strategic action to address violence against women."

The figures come after Home Secretary Priti Patel announced an inquiry will be launched into "systemic failures" that allowed Wayne Couzens to continue to be a police officer.

Couzens, an officer with the Metropolitan Police, was given a whole-life sentence last month for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

Meanwhile, Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock will lead an independent review into the Met's culture and standards, examining the force's vetting, recruitment and training procedures.

Between 2016 and 2020, the Met - the UK's largest police force - recorded 530 allegations of sexual offences against serving officers and staff members, according to different FoI data, with 47 claims resulting in a dismissal.

Surrey Police recorded 36 allegations of sexual misconduct against its officers over the same period.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which oversees the police complaints system, said it was down to forces to "stamp out" any abuse of police powers.

A spokesperson said: "Each case reported represents a serious betrayal of the trust and confidence that individuals should have in the police. It is behaviour which can never be justified or condoned."

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