Student police officer arrested after ‘kidnapping and raping woman’

A serving student police officer has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and raping a woman.

The trainee Greater Manchester Police officer, 23, was detained after a police chase on Saturday.

A woman called 999 ‘in distress’ in a vehicle at 10.18pm on Saturday, the force said.

Responding officers traced the suspected vehicle and pursued it.

They arrested the student copper, who was still in training, on suspicion of kidnap, rape and dangerous driving after the vehicle stopped.

The 23-year-old has been suspended and remains in Greater Manchester custody for questioning.

The force have made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The victim, a woman in her 20s, was safeguarded at the scene.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Dexter said: ‘This is quite clearly a deeply concerning and disturbing incident that we are fully investigating with specialist resources to ensure the victim receives support and justice.

‘I can give our full commitment to working with the Crown Prosecution Service to bring this case to court as quickly as possible, as well as accelerating the necessary misconduct proceedings within the regulations.

‘Thousands of the men and women in GMP work every day to protect the public. I know they, like me, will be shocked and angered by this news.

‘Our Professional Standards Directorate has conducted an initial review and found his vetting was completed without any reason for concern.

‘This does not, however, lessen the severity of these allegations. All necessary and decisive action will be taken in the interest of the victim and the public.’