A SERVING Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with rape following an alleged incident on the seafront.

Laurence Knight, 33, was arrested on July 28 last year after a woman reported being raped on the beach 11 days earlier.

The officer was not on duty at the time of the reported offence.

Knight was arrested on July 28 and released on bail.

He has now been ordered to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on June 23 to face a charge of rape.

The Metropolitan Police said Knight, a sergeant attached to Met Detention, had been suspended from duty.

Chief Superintendent Pete Gardner, in charge of Met Detention, said: “We know people will rightly be concerned to hear about this very serious charge against a serving police officer.

“We absolutely share that concern and I am thankful to Sussex Police for their thorough investigation and the continued specialist support they are providing to the victim.

“The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards are fully aware and misconduct matters will be dealt with once the criminal proceedings have concluded. The officer is suspended from duty.”

Scotland Yard made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which determined the misconduct investigation should be led by the Met.

A spokesman for Sussex Police confirmed that the victim will continue to receive support from specialist officers throughout the judicial process.