Police sexual misconduct complaints skyrocket – but half of claims go uninvestigated
Complaints of sexual abuse and discrimination against police officers have doubled in five years, but more than half of the allegations remain uninvestigated. Independent can reveal.
Analysis of figures from the police watchdog shows forces received 404 complaints of sexual abuse in 2024-25; This is the highest number recorded in a single year, up from 199 in 2020-01.
Gender discrimination claims have also increased significantly; 2023-24 alone saw a record number of complaints (645).
Complaints alleging sexual assault, harassment and abuse of position for sexual gain have increased at twice the rate of all other allegations against police officers in the past five years. Independent shows. Despite this, 51 percent of claims remained uninvestigated between 2020 and 2024.
The statement comes after damning new footage from BBC Panorama exposes a culture of misogyny, with police officers making sexually explicit comments about women and denying rape allegations.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologized for the “reprehensible and completely unacceptable” behavior of officers captured on tape at Charing Cross Police Station and said all defendants were likely to be dismissed within weeks.
Shadow policing minister Matt Vickers described the rise in complaints as “extremely worrying”, while Chief Constable Craig Guildford, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) chief for complaints and misconduct, insisted the force was “determined to eliminate those who are unfit to wear the uniform”.
Forces across the country have received 1,499 complaints about police officer sexual behavior and 2,320 complaints about gender discrimination since 2020, according to figures from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
In 2023-04, the majority (70 percent) of sexual conduct complaints related to sexual assault; This is the latest full year breakdown available.
There were also dozens of allegations alleging police abused their positions for sexual purposes or to pursue inappropriate emotional relationships; There have been 412 complaints recorded by the IOPC since 2020.
The Met, the largest police force in the country, had the highest number of complaints of sexual conduct, but these made up a small proportion of all complaints against the police.
Maxime Rowson, head of policy at the charity Rape Crisis England and Wales, said although the increase in complaints was “disturbing” it could be down to more survivors being able to report their experiences following a series of high-profile cases in recent years.
These include the rape and murder of Sarah Everard in 2021 by off-duty police officer Wayne Couzens, who forced her into his car under the pretext of arrest.
And David Carrick, a serial rapist and former police officer who has been committing sex crimes for two decades, is using his status to deter his victims from reporting him.
Ms Everard’s murder led to a damning police review that found “forces overlooked or downplayed allegations of misconduct”.
Following her murder, the launch of Operation Soteria in 2021, aimed at improving rape investigation, and the IOPC’s You Have a Voice The campaign was credited with increasing coverage of crimes.
But while overall complaints to police have increased by 54 per cent since 2020, allegations about sexual behavior have doubled to 103 per cent over the same period.
“It is now crucial that all police forces take complaints made to them seriously, treat all survivors with dignity, faith and respect, and take action to uncover unreported sexual violence committed by police,” Ms Rowson warned.
Tory MP Mr Vickers said: Independent: “Any increase in sexual harassment complaints is extremely concerning.
“It is vital that victims of these horrific crimes have full confidence that they will be taken seriously and action will be taken quickly.”
“The overwhelming majority of our police officers work day and night to keep us all safe. Police officers who abuse their authority fail the public and their colleagues,” he added.
CC Guildford said: “While it is painful to read about such behavior, police chiefs are determined to support those who report it and remain firm in their approach to tackling it head on.”
He said a “significant overhaul” to vetting and misconduct procedures in 2020 had already led to more rogue officers being sacked, but acknowledged there was still “a long way to go”.
“We know we have more work to do” […] “to make sure we continue to build the trust and confidence of the public that is so easily eroded by the actions of a small minority,” he said.
“Ensuring that robust disciplinary measures are taken against such individuals is absolutely crucial to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.”
Abuse victims can visit for free 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line From the charity Rape Crisis. You can do Complaint to IOPC Here.
