A former Metropolitan Police officer stands accused of visiting sex workers and accessing adult websites while on active duty, the Guardian can reveal. The alleged incidents occurred in May 2022, a period when the force was undergoing a landmark independent review of its culture and behavioural standards led by Baroness Louise Casey.
A Force in Crisis
The case of former Police Constable Imran Patel emerges against a backdrop of severe criticism directed at Britain's largest police force. The Met has been labelled as "institutionally misogynistic" following a series of scandals that exposed a deeply entrenched toxic culture. Patel resigned from his position in July last year after multiple reports were made concerning his conduct over a nine-month period.
This is not the only investigation concerning the former officer. He was also the subject of a criminal fraud investigation, however, in January 2024, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) decided not to refer the theft allegation to the Crown Prosecution Service, meaning he will not face criminal prosecution for that matter.
The Casey Review and a National Scandal
The timing of Patel's alleged actions is particularly damning. The Casey inquiry was commissioned by London Mayor Sadiq Khan in the devastating aftermath of the Sarah Everard murder. Wayne Couzens, a serving Met officer, used his warrant card to falsely arrest Everard before kidnapping, raping, and murdering her in March 2021.
This horrific crime ignited a national conversation about police misogyny. In her final report published in March 2023, Baroness Casey concluded that the Met was institutionally misogynistic, racist, and homophobic. She highlighted that a third of women within the force reported experiencing sexism, with 12% facing sexual harassment or assault.
A Pattern of Problematic Behaviour
The allegations against Patel extend beyond the use of sex workers. He is also accused of committing fraud and abusing his position by taking a driving licence and money from a member of the public in August 2021. Furthermore, in March 2022, a police-issue stab vest was allegedly found at his home without a lawful excuse.
This case is not an isolated incident within the Met. A previous IOPC investigation uncovered officers at Charing Cross police station exchanging messages that joked about rape and visiting sex workers. More recently, a BBC Panorama undercover investigation suggested that sexist attitudes persisted at the same station.
Despite his resignation, Imran Patel will face a full misconduct hearing in January. The IOPC is leading the investigation after a referral from the Met's own anti-corruption unit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.
