Former police officer charged with sex offences

Mohammad Arshad, 35, of Ferndale Road, Luton, will appear at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court charged with 17 counts, on recommendation of the Crown Prosecution Service.

They include 10 counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, four counts of grooming, two counts of sexual touching of a child and offering to supply cannabis.

The charges relate to 11 alleged victims who were aged between 13 and 15 at the time. The charges cover October 2012 until December 2014.

Arshad was an officer with Bedfordshire Police between April and November last year. He was suspended after the allegations came to light in October.