A POLICE community support officer has been arrrested after allegedly sending ‘sexual’ text messages to a woman he met while attending a neighbour dispute.

The 50-year-old from Padiham has now been suspended from his position at Lancashire Constabulary.

The action comes after a woman complained about text messages of a sexual nature she was allegedly sent by the PCSO.

The case is now being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: “The criminal investigation will examine contact between the woman and the PCSO, and the alleged victim’s vulnerability.

“It will also look at how many times the PCSO visited her home, and his use of police computer systems.”

The probe will be carried out by Lancashire police officers under the direction and control of the IPCC.

The terms of reference for the investigation have been set by IPCC Commissioner for Lancashire, James Dipple-Johnstone, who will also check the final investigation report.

The PCSO was arrested in November by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

He has been bailed until February.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “A 50-year-old man from Padiham was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

“The man, a serving police community support officer, has been suspended.

“It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.”

Last year the IPCC published a report about the abuse of police powers for sexual exploitation jointly with the Association of Chief Police Officers.

All serious corruption cases, particularly those involving sexual exploitation by officers and police staff, should be referred to the IPCC.