A FORMER police officer has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse in Rotherham, authorities revealed on Tuesday (1).
The former constable, who is in his 50s, was taken into custody on Monday (31). He is suspected of raping a teenage girl in the South Yorkshire town in 2004, according to officials.
This arrest follows two earlier ones from late last year, when two other former South Yorkshire police officers were detained on suspicion of sexual offences and misconduct while in public office, reported the Guardian.
Investigators believe the earlier offences happened between 1995 and 2002, both while the officers were on duty and during their off-hours. All three officers were based in Rotherham during their service.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it is looking into complaints from six women who have reported sexual offences committed by former South Yorkshire police officers.
Emily Barry, the IOPC engagement director, explained that they are handling the complaints with sensitivity and conducting thorough investigations. She confirmed that a third former officer has now been arrested.
Barry added that once the investigation concludes, they will determine whether to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of criminal charges.
The investigation is being carried out by South Yorkshire police's major crime unit, but remains under the control and oversight of the IOPC.
According to the police watchdog, the investigation began in October 2024 after receiving the first complaint, which was passed on by South Yorkshire Police. A second woman came forward with complaints in November, followed by two more women in December.
The most recent arrest is linked to a sixth complainant whose case was referred to the IOPC by South Yorkshire police just last week.
Officials have stressed that this investigation is separate from the National Crime Agency's (NCA) Operation Stovewood, which is examining non-family child sexual exploitation in Rotherham and is considered the largest investigation of its kind in the UK.
The NCA has previously said that it has identified roughly 1,150 potential victims in its own investigation. More than 220 people have been arrested or have voluntarily attended police stations as part of Operation Stovewood, with 39 having been convicted so far.
The Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal has shocked the nation since it first came to public attention, with multiple investigations revealing systematic failures by local authorities and police to protect vulnerable children over many years.
South Yorkshire Police declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation but confirmed they are fully cooperating with the IOPC's work.
Child protection charities have welcomed the continued investigation into historical abuse cases, stressing the importance of holding all perpetrators accountable regardless of their former positions of authority.
Damian Talbot