Officer charged with two counts of rape

Police Constable Rupert Edwards is alleged to have carried out the offences in Lambeth, South London, on Friday August 26, and in Surrey on Monday September 5 while he was off-duty.

The charges relate to two women aged in their twenties and thirties. The MPS said they are being supported by specially trained officers.

PC Edwards, attached to the South West Basic Command Unit, was arrested on suspicion of rape on September 5. He was bailed and suspended from duty.

On December 8, he was further arrested on suspicion of rape and was charged with two counts of rape he following day.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday (December 9) and was remanded to appear at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, January 6, 2023.

Commander Jon Savell, in charge of the MPS’s professionalism command, said: “This news is deeply worrying and I recognise the concern it will cause the public and other police officers.

“We took immediate action to suspend PC Edwards from duty when he was first arrested in September.

“Legal proceedings are now active and it is important that I do not comment while that process takes place.”

The MPS said its Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Office for Police Conduct have been informed.