PC Carl Edwards, a Merseyside Police officer, has been convicted of three counts of misconduct in public office and two data protection offences. The conviction follows a trial at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, July 30. Edwards, from Sunflower Close in Birkenhead, repeatedly visited an area known for sex work between June 2022 and December 2023, approaching women while in uniform and in a marked police vehicle.
Investigation launched after report
The investigation began when a sex worker reported that an officer named 'Carl' regularly attended the area asking women for 'business'. Merseyside Police's Anti-Corruption Unit conducted the investigation under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Jurors heard that after a sex worker reported being assaulted, Edwards approached the complainant and another woman, offering them £50 for a sexual encounter. Another woman told investigators that Edwards flirted with her while in uniform, asked how much she charged for sex, later turned up unannounced outside her home, and regularly drove past her.
Incident with vulnerable teenager
On December 9, 2023, Edwards attended a high-risk missing person incident involving a 17-year-old girl. After the visit, the teenager told a support worker that Edwards had made her feel uncomfortable by attempting to touch her, offering her his vape, and asking if she wanted him to pick her up after work. She said he showed her pictures of the car he would collect her in and made sexual comments. Investigators also found that Edwards failed to activate his body-worn camera while alone with the teenager.
Additionally, evidence showed Edwards unlawfully accessed police intelligence relating to organised crime groups in October 2022 without a legitimate policing purpose, leading to two data protection convictions.
Disciplinary proceedings and sentencing
Edwards has been suspended since his arrest in November 2023. The IOPC found he has a case to answer for gross misconduct, and disciplinary proceedings will be arranged by the force. Sentencing is due on October 5.
Amanda Rowe, IOPC director of engagement, said: 'The offending by PC Edwards was a deliberate and prolonged pattern of criminal behaviour which seemed to only escalate over time and culminated with his abhorrent actions when visiting a vulnerable girl who would have undoubtedly placed trust in him at the time.'
Detective Chief Superintendent Kaur said: 'In abusing his position of trust with victims of crimes in pursuit of his own gratification, Edwards behaviour was nothing short of abhorrent.'
