WILLIAM REDWOOD FROM RUNNYMEEDE SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENCY OFFENCES IN SURREY

In April 2023, a former member of Surrey Police, William Redwood, was sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to multiple serious offences involving indecent images of children. The case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the crimes and Redwood's previous role within law enforcement.

William Redwood, aged 24 at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty to a total of 33 charges. These charges included the creation, possession, and distribution of indecent images of minors, as well as inciting a child to engage in sexual activities. The offences spanned a period during which the victims, both male and female, were between 12 and 17 years old. Redwood himself was between 17 and 22 years old during the time these crimes were committed, highlighting a disturbing pattern of misconduct during his early adulthood.

Redwood had been employed as a Community Support Officer (PCSO) with Surrey Police, based in Runnymede, since October 2019. His role involved community engagement and support, but his conduct was marred by the serious allegations that eventually led to his downfall.

Concerns about Redwood’s conduct surfaced in August 2020 when his supervisor reported to the Force’s Anti-Corruption Unit. The supervisor raised alarms that Redwood had established an inappropriate and undisclosed relationship and had accessed confidential police information without any legitimate policing purpose. These allegations prompted an internal investigation into Redwood’s activities.

As part of the investigation, Redwood’s mobile phone was seized and examined. Authorities discovered that the device contained indecent images of children, which intensified the severity of the case. The investigation was subsequently handed over to Surrey Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, a specialized unit tasked with tackling online child exploitation.

Prior to an internal misconduct hearing scheduled for December 2020, Redwood chose to resign from his position with Surrey Police. Internal findings indicated that had he not resigned, he would have been dismissed from the force due to the gravity of the allegations and evidence against him. Following his resignation, Redwood was placed on the barred list, effectively preventing him from working in law enforcement or related fields involving children.

Redwood’s case underscores the importance of vigilance within police forces and the devastating impact of misconduct involving minors. His actions have not only led to his imprisonment but also raised concerns about safeguarding and oversight within law enforcement agencies.