PCC responds to dismissal of PC Darren Thorn following gross misconduct hearing

PCC Philip Wilkinson said: "This is the third misconduct hearing at Wiltshire Police since I was elected into office that involves a police officer's inappropriate behaviour towards women.

"Former Police Constable Darren Thorn abused his position of trust to form a completely inappropriate sexual relationship with a victim he met when attending her home in the course of his duties.

"It would be a huge injustice to the vast majority of officers and staff at Wiltshire Police who carry out their roles with integrity to suggest that this was representative of the wider Force,  but it would be wholly misguided to suggest that these former officers are lone 'bad apples'.

"Cases like this chip away at public trust and I continue to work with the Chief Constable to eradicate any trace of corruption and misconduct within Wiltshire Police to ensure that we do not end up in a place where that public trust cannot be rebuilt.

"Those who abuse their position of trust must, and will be weeded out.

"Their time in policing is up."