Met Police rapist "not one of us", top North Yorkshire officer says

North Yorkshire Police chief constable Lisa Winward has spoken out, after David Carrick admitted to a series of sex attacks on women

David Carrick has been sacked by the Metropolitan Police
Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 17th Jan 2023

North Yorkshire's top police officer has said a series of sex attacks carried out on women by a man in the Metropolitan Police are "abhorrent".

Chief constable Lisa Winward condemned David Carrick, who has been formally sacked by the Met, after admitting 49 charges, including 29 of rape.

Speaking at a meeting in Harrogate, Ms. Winward said: "These sorts of cases are a shock to people who work in policing, and we don't deem those individuals involved in that behaviour to be one of us."

Home secretary describes "dark day in policing"

Home secretary Suella Braverman has warned "more shocking cases" involving police officers could emerge following David Carrick's "monstrous campaign of abuse".

Ms. Braverman urged the Metropolitan Police and other forces to "double down" on their efforts to root out corrupt officers in a bid to restore public trust.

She told MPs this could result in more cases emerging as efforts continue to reform vetting processes to "stop the wrong people" joining the police.

Making a Commons statement, Ms Braverman said: "Yesterday was a dark day for British policing and the Metropolitan Police as an officer admitted being responsible for a monstrous campaign of abuse.

"I am sure the whole House will want to join me in expressing my sympathy to the victims and thank them for their courage in coming forward.

"It is intolerable for them to have suffered as they have. They were manipulated and isolated and subjected to horrific abuse.

"For anyone to have gone through such torment is harrowing, but for it to have happened at the hands of someone they entrusted to keep people safe is almost beyond comprehension."

Labour urge action

For Labour, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said ministers have failed to heed repeated calls for reform of police vetting and standards.

She said: "We have to face up to the further evidence that this case has brought up of appalling failures in the police vetting and misconduct processes that are still not being addressed by the Government and are not being addressed in this statement.

"I would say the Home Secretary that given the scale of the problems, not just in this case, but in previous cases as well, her statement is very weak and it shows a serious lack of leadership on something that is so grave and affects confidence in policing as well as serious crimes."

Inquiry into Sarah Everard killing will look at Carrick

Meanwhile, the home secretary announced the independent inquiry looking into the death of York woman Sarah Everard will also consider the crimes of David Carrick.

Suella Braverman told the Commons Dame Elish Angiolini will include the 48-year-old's offending in her inquiry, which was set up in November 2021.

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