A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with three counts of possession of indecent images of children.

PC Darren Hourigan, who previously worked with the South Area Command Unit, was arrested in March 2020.

He was bailed and released while investigations were ongoing as well as being suspended from his job.

PC Hourigan was charged on September 21 and will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today (October 18).

The Met’s Online Child Exploitation and Abuse Team lead an investigation into the officer.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with three counts of possession of indecent images of children.

“The charges follow an investigation by the Met’s Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse team supported by the Directorate of Professional Standards.

“PC Darren Hourigan, who is attached to the South Area Command Unit, was arrested in March 2020.

“He was initially bailed before being released under investigation.

“He was charged by postal requisition notice on Wednesday, 21 September and will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 18 October.

“PC Hourigan was suspended prior to being charged.”