Third former police officer arrested over historic sexual offences in Rotherham
Six women have now made complaints against former South Yorkshire Police officers over alleged sexual offences between 1995 and 2003.
A third former police officer has been arrested as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, a watchdog has said.
Six women have now made complaints against former South Yorkshire Police officers over alleged sexual offences between 1995 and 2003.
A former police constable, now in his 50s, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of raping a teenage girl in Rotherham in 2004, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
It follows the arrests of two former South Yorkshire Police officers late last year on suspicion of sexual offences and misconduct in public office, which is alleged to have happened when they were both on and off duty between 1995 and 2002.
An IOPC spokesperson said they had been investigating since October last year when a complaint by a woman was referred to them by South Yorkshire Police.
"This was followed by more complaints from a second woman in November and complaints from two further women in December," the spokesperson said.
"In late January, a fifth complainant was referred to the IOPC and last week we received a referral for a sixth complainant. The arrest this week relates to this latest complaint."
They said the investigation was being carried out by South Yorkshire Police under the IOPC's direction and control.
The man arrested this week has since been released on bail, the IOPC said.
IOPC director Emily Barry said: "We are now investigating serious complaints by six women of sexual offending by former SYP officers.
"These complaints are being handled sensitively and thoroughly investigated and a third former officer has now been arrested.
"At the end of the investigation we will decide whether a file of evidence will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider criminal charges."
In December, South Yorkshire Police said a retired constable, now in his 60s, had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, attempted rape and three counts of indecent assault.
A spokesman said the former officer was being investigated following allegations of child sexual abuse relating to two girls between 1995 and 1999.
Another former constable, now in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and indecent assault in connection to an incident in 1995/96.
Both men were bailed pending further inquiries, the spokesman said.