Met Police says two to three officers will face charges every week for months
Two to three criminal cases against officers are expected to go to court every week in the coming months, the Met Police commissioner has revealed.
The criminal cases are a “mix of dishonesty, violence and violence against women and girls”, Sir Mark Rowley said.
He also apologised to the victims of former officer David Carrick and said the public should “prepare for more painful stories as we confront cases that… corrupt our integrity”.
Speaking at a meeting of the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee, Sir Mark said the force had not “applied the same level of ruthlessness” to upholding its integrity as it applied to fighting crime.
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The Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was speaking at the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee.
He also said that the Met will “probably find many cases where we got it wrong” in their review of around 1,000 allegations relating to officers and staff historically accused of sexual offences and domestic abuse.
Referring to the “ghastly case” of Carrick, he said: “We’re all equally horrified we have hundreds in policing who shouldn’t be here, Carrick is an awful example of that.”
He offered “sincere apologies to victims for our failings, he should not have been a police officer – that’s obvious”.
Sir Mark said the public should “prepare for more painful stories as we confront cases that… corrupt our integrity”.
Sir Mark also apologised to “women across London who feel let down and whose trust in policing has been let down”.
“We must improve dramatically for London. Lifting the stone and revealing painful truths will not be resolved overnight”.
“It will be painful. We need your support and the support of the people of London… as we rid the organisation of those who corrupt our integrity,” he said.
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In the wake of Carrick’s conviction, around 1,000 previous cases involving Met officers and staff who were accused of sexual offences or domestic violence are being reviewed to make sure they were handled correctly.
Sir Mark said he was “moving heaven and earth” to finish the review by March when its findings will be reported.
Carrick, one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders, admitted 49 criminal charges including 24 counts of rape for crimes committed over an 18-year period.
Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick pleaded guilty to 49 criminal charges
The charges relate to the rape of nine different women, but some are multiple incident counts, meaning they cover more than 80 sexual offences, including at least 48 rapes.
The commissioner also apologised for the Met’s failings in the case of PC Hussain Chehab, 22, who pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 as well as three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.
PC Chehab’s case is one of several that have emerged in recent weeks that called the Met’s vetting and complaints processes into question.
Two retired Met officers were charged last week with offences related to the possession of images showing child sex abuse.
The charges were part of an investigation into a serving chief inspector who was found dead before he was charged.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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