Serving Met Officer charged with child sex offences
The 51-year-old was arrested in Basingstoke yesterday
Last updated 29th Oct 2021
A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with a string of child sex offences following an investigation by Hertfordshire Police.
Francois Olwage, 51, a detective constable who is attached to the Met's specialist operations, was arrested at an address in Basingstoke on Thursday.
He was charged with four offences and is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday.
The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and Olwage has been suspended.
The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the Met said.
Olwage is charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause/incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.
He is also charged with arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and meeting a girl aged under 16 following grooming.
Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith, Directorate of Professional Standards, said: "The arrest of DC Olwage follows a comprehensive investigation by detectives from Hertfordshire Police and we will continue to offer them every support as their inquiries continue.
"He was suspended following his arrest for this serious and concerning offence.
"He has been charged and will now face criminal proceedings.
"It is important that nothing is said or published that could pose a risk to those proceedings."