Police staff’s ‘unacceptable’ sex pest torment at work

POLICE staff endure “unacceptable” levels of sexual harassment, with 33% facing intrusive questioning about their private lives, a study has revealed.

The Unison poll of 1,776 staff, not police officers, found 4% had been pressured into having sex with colleagues and 8% told sexual favours would help their careers.

It also found 21% had been subjected to staring or leering, by either a police officer or a colleague, 12% had experienced unwelcome touching, kissing or hugging and 6% had been sent explicit images. Unison’s Christina McAnea said: “No member of police staff should feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated at work.” Julian Williams, of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said the “outdated and unacceptable” behaviour must be “rooted out”.