Retired PC further arrested in child abuse inquiry

A former South Yorkshire Police officer has been further arrested on suspicion of historical child exploitation and abuse.

The retired constable, based in Rotherham, was initially detained last year on suspicion of the attempted rape and indecent assault of two girls in the 1990s, but was arrested again this month over alleged offences against a third victim.

The offences are alleged to have taken place when the officer, now in his 60s, was both on and off duty.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said they were "very serious complaints" that were being "thoroughly and robustly investigated".

The alleged offences against the third victim were said to have taken place between 1997 and 2002, the IOPC said.

The man was also interviewed on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Another former officer, in his 50s and who also worked in Rotherham, was arrested in December.

He was interviewed on suspicion of sexual assault, indecent assault and misconduct in public office.

IOPC director Emily Barry said: "When we completed the Operation Linden investigations in 2022, into how South Yorkshire Police investigated reports of child sexual exploitation and abuse in Rotherham, we acknowledged that there may be further complaints from survivors."

The BBC previously reported that a joint investigation by South Yorkshire Police and the National Crime Agency's Operation Stovewood, which investigates allegations of child sexual abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, was now under way.

The force referred itself to the IOPC in connection with the allegations.

Ms Barry added: "These matters came to our attention after we received a referral of a complaint from South Yorkshire Police in October last year.

"This was followed by more complaints from a second woman in November and complaints from two further women in December, which were referred to us by SYP as a result of their initial inquiries."

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