A third former South Yorkshire police officer has been arrested as part of an expanding investigation into historic child sexual exploitation in Rotherham. The ex-officer, in his 50s, was detained on Monday on suspicion of raping a teenage girl in 2004.
Ongoing Investigation Into Police Misconduct
This arrest follows the detention of two other former South Yorkshire officers in late 2024, also linked to serious sexual offences and misconduct in public office. The alleged crimes occurred in Rotherham while the officers were both on and off duty between 1995 and 2002.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed it is now handling complaints from six women who have accused ex-police officers of sexual misconduct.
IOPC Leading Sensitive and Thorough Inquiry
Emily Barry, Engagement Director at the IOPC, said: “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 determine whether to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for potential criminal charges.”
The IOPC-led investigation is being supported by South Yorkshire Police’s major crime unit and began in October 2024 following a formal complaint referred by the force.
Growing Number of Complaints
In November, a second woman came forward, followed by two more in December. The most recent arrest stems from a complaint submitted by a sixth woman, referred by South Yorkshire Police in March 2025.
This operation is independent of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Operation Stovewood, the UK’s largest investigation into non-familial child sexual exploitation. The NCA has previously reported identifying over 1,150 potential victims in Rotherham, with more than 220 arrests and 39 convictions to date.
