PAEDOPHILE IN THE MET

A suspected child sex attacker was allowed to join the Metropolitan Police and is being investigated for an indecent assault on a woman colleague, it was revealed today.

The Police Community Support Officer was suspended after claims of the latest assault and a subsequent inquiry found he had admitted being investigated for a suspected sex attack on a child on his application form.

The 19-year-old man is based at the same central London police station where an Asian officer has claimed there is a racist 'apartheid' regime.

The case raises major concerns over vetting procedures at Scotland Yard.

The PCSOs deployed at Belgravia are responsible for re-assurance and anti-terrorist patrols in Westminster.

One police insider said: 'Someone at vetting was obviously sleeping when this came through.'

The 19-year-old PCSO admitted to being investigated for a possible sex attack on a three-year-old girl when he was 12 years old.

He was not charged with any offence but being investigated for a sexual offence would normally bar an applicant from joining the police service.

Peter Smyth, chairman of the Metropolitan-Police Federation, said: 'We have deep concerns if the vetting process is not being properly applied, both to support officers and police officers.'

Former anti-terror chief Andy Hayman, writing in today's Times, said the pressure to recruit people to patrol against terror attacks in central London had led police to cut corners.

He said: 'Vetting must take precedence over recruitment targets. A failure of vetting is a failure to protect the safety of the public.'

The PCSO was suspended from duty after being arrested over the alleged attack on a colleague at Belgravia station earlier this month.

The investigation is ongoing.

The information about the sex attack claims is meant to have been logged on the Police National Computer and should be flagged up in a Criminal Records Bureau check if a person applies for a job working with children or vulnerable people.

The fresh allegations at Belgravia station will place greater pressure on new Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.

He has already ordered a inquiry into 'apartheid' allegations.

Asian officer Asad Saeed, 33, has brought a race discrimination employment tribunal against the Met, claiming ethnic minority officers were made to travel in separate vans from white officers.

The case was due to be heard yesterday, but was adjourned until next week.

Two other Met support officers have alleged they had to endure 'monkey taunts' from a white officer in a separate case, due to be heard next month. (Sex attacker in the Met)

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