Sussex Police have fired an officer who sent sexually explicit messages and videos to a 16-year-old boy who he knew was a regular missing person.

The police community support officer (PCSO) first contacted the teenager through the dating app Grindr, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

In their messages, the officer – whose name has not been released – sent videos of himself performing a sex act to the teenager.

The IOPC said the PCSO was aware the boy was vulnerable due to his age and had previous contact with the police as a missing person.

Separately, the PCSO sold unlicensed erectile dysfunction medication to a man he met through his community liaison duties at a cafe, the watchdog added.

He also sent derogatory and discriminatory messages about LGBT+ groups to him.

Sussex Police fired the officer after an investigation proved gross misconduct on 28 November.

Mel Palmer, IOPC regional director, said: “Part of this PCSO’s job was to build trust and confidence in the police amongst LGBTQ+ people in Sussex.

“It is disgraceful that whilst in such a trusted role he sent sexually explicit material to a vulnerable teenager and bought unauthorised medication for another man. He also sent highly offensive derogatory messages to the man about parts of the LGBTQ+ community, conduct that was wholly unprofessional.

“I welcome the panel’s finding, which sends a robust message that this type of behaviour has no place in policing.”

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The watchdog sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service at the end of their investigation.

No charges have been brought against the PCSO.

The investigation was carried out between February and October in 2021.

The IOPC told Sky News it was not releasing the officer’s name because PCSOs are “members of staff and not police officers” and “our usual practice is to not publish their name”.

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