The police watchdog has launched an investigation into a woman’s claim she was drugged and sexually assaulted while in police custody.
The woman told Sky News the incident took place while she was held by officers from Greater Manchester Police.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said they had received two referrals from Greater Manchester Police on Wednesday 26 July 2023 linked to complaints made by the woman regarding her detention by officers at Pendleton Police Station in February 2021.
They said one was a “re-referral of matters we originally received” back in May 2022, while another “contained new allegations regarding the woman’s treatment in custody that had not previously been brought to our attention”.
IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: “These very serious allegations will have undoubtedly unsettled the local community and the wider public. Their severity raises understandable concern and has the potential to undermine confidence in policing.
“In light of the new information we recently received and the significant media attention generated, as well as a request from GMP, we have taken the decision that an independent investigation is required into the allegations.”
Ms Bates said the IOPC was “aware of footage of the woman’s detention” and said the investigation “will be thorough and independent of the police”.
She said the investigation “will look at the nature of the interaction the woman had with police while in custody and allow us to understand what happened on the night in question.”
