Two ex-police officers who served in South Yorkshire have been arrested following allegations of sexual offences that date back to the 1990s. These incidents are said to have occurred while the men were working as police officers in Rotherham.

One of the men, who is now in his 60s, is accused of trying to rape and indecently assault two young girls between 1995 and 1999. The second man, aged in his 50s, is suspected of indecent assault around 1995 or 1996.

Both men have been released on bail while the police continue to investigate the claims.

These arrests are part of Operation Stovewood, a major investigation run by the National Crime Agency (NCA) into child sexual abuse in Rotherham. The operation is examining abuse that happened between 1997 and 2013 and has already looked into many cases of abuse and neglect from that period.

South Yorkshire Police has also referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), an organisation that oversees complaints and investigations involving police officers.

Switalskis has been working with South Yorkshire Police to ensure that these officers, and other officers, are brought to justice for their hideous crimes relating to the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children in Rotherham which is linked to CSE in the town. Switalskis represents the courageous women who have made allegations against these officers and will continue to support them throughout the investigation.

Switalskis have been dealing with civil claims against Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and South Yorkshire Police for over a decade, supporting approximately 200 women in securing compensation and justice for the failures of the authorities in protecting them from avoidable abuse and trauma.

If you or someone you know has suffered abuse at the hands of a police officer in South Yorkshire, or abuse by a third party which was facilitated by a police officer, please get in touch with amy.clowrey@switalskis.com or call her on 01924 882000.