Serving Bristol police officer charged with child sex offences
It was part of a proactive police operation
Last updated 22nd Oct 2024
A serving police officer has been charged with a number of child sex offences.
Inspector Thomas Kettleborough was based at Avon and Somerset Police's headquarters but was suspended after his first arrest in July 2023.
The 35-year-old was arrested on suspicion of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.
He was interviewed and released on conditional bail, but further enquiries led to him being arrested again on suspicion of further offences on 19 March.
He is due to appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (23 October).
The force said his arrest was part of a proactive police operation led by the Online Investigations Team at the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
The case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which has authorised the following charges:
- Arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence
- Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
- Attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity
- Five counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
- Four counts of making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child
- Assaulting an emergency worker (police officer)
Police confirmed Kettleborough was involved with two voluntary organisations - the Royal Marine Cadets and the Royal Lifesaving Society UK - but said none of the offences related to these roles.
Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: “We know the public’s trust and confidence in policing nationally remains fragile and we have a shared desire to increase the confidence the public have in us.
"We will continue to take decisive action and be clear about what behaviours and standards we expect from our people. Where these standards are not met, we’ll take swift and robust action."