Barnet area police officer in court on sexual assault charge

Detective Sergeant Prakash Patel has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault relating to incidents that took place in 2024

A police officer will appear in court tomorrow charged with multiple counts of sexual assault.

Detective Sergeant Prakash Patel, who is attached to the North West Command Unit which covers Barnet, will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The officer was charged on Friday, 24th July with five counts of sexual assault. Four of the allegations relate to incidents on Tuesday, 3rd December 2024, while the other relates to an incident alleged to have taken place on an unspecified date in the summer of 2024. The charges relate to four women known to him.

Patel was arrested on Thursday, 24th April, 2025, following the launch of an investigation by Central South Command Unit working alongside the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards. He was suspended from duty that day.

Following further enquiries, the case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service who authorised charges.

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