A police officer has been dismissed after he failed to act on an allegation of rape from a vulnerable woman.

Pc Mark Smith, who was based in the Harlow and Loughton Local Policing Team, was dismissed today (November 26) over failings related to an incident in Harlow.

After attending a ‘disturbance’ on January 10, an allegation of rape was made to Pc Smith.

Although he made an arrest at the scene, he failed to deal with the allegation from the vulnerable woman – not following Essex Police policy on sexual offences.

He was found to have committed gross misconduct at a two-day hearing at Basildon Magistrates’ and Family Court.

A panel chaired by temporary deputy chief constable Julia Wortley found Pc Smith breached standards of professional behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct.

After the hearing, she said: “Pc Smith failed to fulfil his duties and responsibilities towards a vulnerable woman who disclosed that she had been the victim of a serious and distressing crime.

“The officer acted without honesty and integrity, which are fundamental values that police officers need to uphold to maintain public confidence.

“The public can be reassured that there is no place in Essex Police for people who breach the Standards of Professional behaviour in this way.”