A serving Metropolitan Police officer charged with rape has been remanded in custody after appearing in court today.

PC David Carrick, 46, who is based within the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court via video link.

Following the hearing – which lasted around half an hour – Carrick, who wore a white shirt, was remanded in custody to appear at St Albans Crown Court on 1 November.

The Met said he was off duty at the time of the alleged rape, which Hertfordshire Constabulary said occurred on 4 September 2020 in St Albans.

Malcom McHaffie, the chief crown prosecutor of CPS Thames and Chiltern, said on Sunday: “The CPS has today authorised Hertfordshire Constabulary to charge serving Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick, 46, with one count of rape following an alleged attack on a woman on the night of 4 September 2020.”

He added: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has a right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Carrick, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, has been suspended by the Met Police.

A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct but awaits the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Speaking yesterday, commissioner Cressida Dick said: “I am deeply concerned to hear the news today that an officer from the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command has been arrested and now charged with this serious offence.

“I fully recognise the public will be very concerned too.

“Criminal proceedings must now take their course so I am unable to comment any further at this stage.”

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