Inspectorate for England and Wales says potentially thousands officers cleared who should have failed checks

Defective vetting and failures by police leaders have allowed a “prevalent” culture of potentially thousands of officers who are “predatory” towards women to join and stay in the ranks, a damning official report has concluded.

Officers staged unwarranted stops of women in an abuse of power known as “booty patrols”, with crimes such as sexual assault covered up and ignored along with large-scale harassment of female officers and members of the public.

A special constable cleared to join despite a past conviction for indecent exposure seven times over a two-week period as a juvenile, when he had masturbated at his bedroom window, coughing to attract the attention of a woman. He also had a caution for threats to commit criminal damage.

A support officer cleared to join after slapping his partner in the face.

A police officer allowed to join despite robbing an 80-year-old woman, who was knocked to the ground and had her handbag stolen.

A police officer cleared to join despite concerns he had a theft conviction and potential criminal links.

A police officer arrested twice for assaults on women who were left with marks on their necks, and witness intimidation, as well as having a historical drink-driving conviction.

An officer cleared to join despite an arrest for rape while a juvenile, about 20 years earlier.

An officer, who still works with vulnerable people, given a final written warning for sending extremely sexually explicit and racist messages to a female colleague.