The police watchdog is investigating the conduct of 10 current or former officers and staff over how they handled allegations against serial rapist David Carrick.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) invoked its rarely-used “power of initiative” to launch four investigations into alleged Metropolitan Police failings in investigating claims made against the PC in 2002, 2016, 2019 and 2021.

It came after the force didn’t identify any conduct matters following a review into any reports which could have led to action being taken against Carrick sooner.

Carrick, 48, was jailed for at least 30 years in February after he was unmasked as one of Britain’s worst ever sex offenders.

The Met was forced to apologise and admit Carrick should have been rooted out earlier after it emerged he came to police attention over nine incidents before he was prosecuted, including allegations of rape, domestic violence and harassment between 2000 and 2021.

The IOPC said five serving Met officers, including a detective constable, a detective sergeant, a detective inspector and two chief inspectors are under investigation for gross misconduct.

A former Met officer, now working for the City of London Police, and two officers who have retired from the force are also facing gross misconduct probes, while a serving Met staff member and a PC are under investigation for misconduct.

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