A Metropolitan Police detective sergeant attached to the unit responsible for policing Harrow has been charged with five counts of sexual assault.
Detective Sergeant Prakash Patel, who is attached to the Met’s North West Command Unit, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, Friday 4 September.
The North West Command Unit covers Harrow, Brent and Barnet.
Five sexual assault charges
The Metropolitan Police said DS Patel was charged on Friday 24 July with five counts of sexual assault.
One of the alleged incidents is said to have taken place on an unspecified date during the summer of 2024, while the other four are alleged to have happened on 3 December 2024.
The charges relate to four women who are known to DS Patel.
Police said the women continue to be supported by investigating officers.
Officer suspended from duty
DS Patel was arrested on 24 April 2025 after an investigation was launched by officers from the Central South Command Unit working alongside the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.
He was suspended from duty on the same day.
Following further enquiries, the case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges.
The Metropolitan Police has not said where the alleged offences took place.
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