A detective from a specialist sex offences unit working in Islington has been arrested over allegations of falsifying crime reports.

The detective constable from the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Command unit – which investigates rapes and other sex crimes – was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice this morning (Friday, June 8) at an address in east London.

Two victims have already been contacted over fears their cases were affected by the officer’s conduct, and more may have to be spoken to.

A probe has been launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is reviewing 63 cases in Islington and Camden that may have been affected.

An IPCC statement said the officer is alleged to have “falsified entries on the crime report system in relation to the submission of exhibits, advice from the CPS and authority from senior officers to make charging decisions”.

The case was refereed to the IPCC on May 16. The IPCC and Met Police declined to release any more details of the alleged misconduct, but the commission said further information will be issued “in due course”.

A statement from the Met said: “At this time we are reviewing 26 live investigations, and 37 investigations that are shown as complete.

“All of the live investigations have been assigned to new officers. As the investigations are reviewed if there are any issues identified that may alter the course of the investigation the victims are being contacted – so far we have contacted two victims about their investigations.

“If anyone has any concerns about their investigation (this only impacts of victims from the Camden and Islington areas of London) and wishes to speak to an officer they are advised to contact the Sapphire unit on 020 7421 0282.

“We want victims to have the confidence that we are here for them, will believe them and will conduct our investigations professionally. Victims must be at the heart of every rape investigation, knowing that lines of inquiry have been exhausted in an attempt to bring offenders to justice.

“Any suggestion that an investigation is not up to the high standard expected will be fully investigated and any officers involved in potential failings dealt with robustly.”