Disturbing footage shows cop looming outside home of woman, 28, during two-year stalking ordeal where ‘he sent texts asking for laughs, likes and plenty of sex’ – as new report shines light on harassment storm against police
- Charlotte Smith, 28, claims she was stalked and harassed by Paul Whitehurst, 48
- Smith claims he sent her ‘disturbing’ messages following their relationship
Disturbing footage shows the moment a police officer can be seen looming outside the home of a woman who says she was a victim of a two-year stalking ordeal.
Charlotte Smith, 28, claimed she was stalked and harassed by the police officer following a relationship that lasted a few months.
Detective Sergeant Paul Whitehurst, 48, who works in the anti-corruption and professional standards department, allegedly started pursuing a sexual relationship with Smith when she bumped into him in a bar.
Smith told the BBC he repeatedly sent her ‘disturbing’ WhatsApp messages where he asked for ‘laughs, likes and plenty of s****ing’. After the relationship ended, she complained to Warwickshire Police in September 2020 about his behaviour.
Whitehurst then allegedly started visiting her house uninvited even after she asked him to be left alone, which prompted her to make further complaints to the police force.
Footage of the incident comes as a new report from the BBC found that just 25 of 500 allegations of police abuses of power led to charges.
Charlotte Smith (pictured), 28, claimed she was stalked and harassed by the police officer following a relationship that lasted a few months
Detective Sergeant Paul Whitehurst (pictured left), 48, who works in the anti-corruption and professional standards department, allegedly started pursuing a sexual relationship with Smith when she bumped into him in a bar
Ring doorbell footage seen by the BBC shows one incident in May 24 2022 where the broadcaster reports that Whitehurst can be seen outside Smith’s home at 10:45pm repeatedly ringing her doorbell.
The 28-year-old said she hid under her duvet and rang Warwickshire Police who arrived at her home 45 minutes later.
She said there ‘was no urgency’ from the officers who didn’t even take her statement at the time and was told that ‘red flags’ had been placed on her house following a previous incident.
Whitehurst was suspended by the force last year and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has called for him to face a gross misconduct hearing, which is yet to take place.
The officer denied the claims that he abused his position and said the messages were ‘not familiar’ to him when he spoke to the BBC.
He added that he only visited Smith’s house out of concern for her well being.
Smith said that the ordeal has left her feeling ‘powerless’ and she questioned how her complaint would be taken seriously when Whitehurst worked in the professional standards department where they are dealt with.
MailOnline has contacted Warwickshire Police for comment.
Ring doorbell footage seen by the BBC shows one incident in May 24 2022 where a man they identify as Whitehurst can be seen outside Smith’s home at 10:45pm repeatedly ringing her doorbell
An earlier incident also showed Whitehurst outside Smith’s home during the day, according to the BBC
According to the law, police forces must refer the most serious allegations about the conduct of a person serving with the police to the IOPC, including allegations of abuse of position for a sexual purpose toensures an independent decision is taken.
Data compiled by the BBC from Freedom of Information requests found that 536 allegations of ‘abuse of position for a sexual purpose’ have been made across 32 police forces in England, Wales and Scotland from 2020.
It also found that just 24 officers had been handed a criminal charge for this offence.
Data also showed that some officers faced up to 20 individual allegations, with one cop, who faced nine allegations, only given a written warning.
Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp said: ‘There must be a zero tolerance approach to police officers abusing their positions and we are taking action to ensure predatory individuals are not only rooted out of forces, but that vetting is strengthened to ensure they cannot join the police in the first place.
‘The Inspectorate’s recent rapid review on vetting recognised that progress is being made and forces are also carrying out a thorough check of all serving officers and staff to identify anyone who should not be wearing the badge.
‘We are reviewing the current police dismissals process to ensure it is as effective as possible at removing unfit officers and the Angiolini Inquiry will look at uncovering any further systemic issues in policing we need to address.’
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