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06
May
Number of sexual assault complaints against North Yorkshire Police officers revealed
The number of sexual assault complaints made against North Yorkshire Police officers has been revealed.
A freedom of information request to the force sought the number of complaints made against serving officers between 2020 and 2024, broken down by calendar year.
It also asked police to disclose the rank of the accused officer, the officer’s sex, whether the complainant was a member of the public or a colleague, and the outcome.
According to the figures, eight sexual assault claims were made against officers over the four-year period.
In 2020, two complaints were made.
They were both against male police constables and were both made by a member of the public.
Both complaints resulted in no further action.
The figures doubled in 2021, when a total of four sexual assault complaints were lodged.
Two members of the force issued complaints against two male constables that year, but no further action was taken.
Another complaint was made against a male police constable by a colleague but, again, it resulted in no further action.
Just one of the four complaints made that year is still under investigation. In this instance, a colleague made a complaint against a male police constable.
No sexual assault complaints were made against officers in 2022, but two were made in 2023.
A member of the public complained about a male police constable that year, but the complaint resulted in no further action.
Another complaint was made by a member of the public that year. It was against a male constable, but the investigation was still ongoing at the time the FOI response was published.
No complaints were made in 2024.
'Sexual misconduct cannot and will not be tolerated'
The Stray Ferret contacted North Yorkshire Police about the figures.
We asked the force why so many complaints resulted in no further action, and what procedures are in place for sexual assault complaints.
A spokesperson said:
We expect the highest level of integrity from our officers and staff, to ensure that the communities we serve can have complete trust in us. Sexual misconduct cannot and will not be tolerated in North Yorkshire Police.
The vast majority of police colleagues are honest, hardworking and trustworthy - working around the clock to keep people safe from harm. But we are not complacent, and apply a robust process to all allegations of sexual misconduct.
The force complies with the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, the spokesperson said, and will launch criminal investigations where necessary.
It also refers itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for additional scrutiny and oversight where appropriate, they added.
The spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:
We encourage anyone who has concerns about any officer or staff member they have come into contact with to report this to us.
Christopher Hudson
A former North Yorkshire Police officer was last year banned from the service after facing a misconduct hearing into allegations he sexually assaulted a woman while on duty.
Christopher Hudson, a North Yorkshire Police officer based in Harrogate at the time, was found not guilty of the offences at Leeds Crown Court in February, 2023.
However, he faced a police misconduct hearing over the allegations at the force's Northallerton headquarters last July.
A hearing heard that Hudson allegedly suggested he and a female co-worker – who was dubbed PC A for legal reasons – should “have sex in the police van” while on duty.
You can read more here.
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