A Metropolitan Police officer has been convicted of harrassment after he bombarded a woman with unwanted messages while he was on duty.

In a statement ont he Metropolitan Police website it confirmed PC Gary Chant, who was attached to the Central West Command Unit, was arrested on November 5 last year and was subsequently suspended from duty. The incident relates to a woman known to PC Chant, to whom he sent a significant number of unwanted messages while he was on duty. 

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 20 August and was found guilty of harassment without violence.
He will appear at the same court on 1 October for sentencing.

Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah leading the Met’s Central West Command said: “We expect a high standard of behaviour from our officers.

“That standard was not met by PC Chant – his actions, in harassing the victim, were wholly unacceptable and we took appropriate action. We are committed to combatting crimes against women and girls. Predatory, or abusive behaviour from men is unacceptable and will be dealt with whether outside or inside the Met. As a result of this outcome at court, misconduct proceedings will now follow.”

Labour has vowed to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, this comes after the Met launched a new action plan in December 2023 outlining how they will improve their response to Violence Against Women and Girls. 

Back in April the Shadow Home Secretary said governments have treated violence against women and girls as an inevitability, rather than 'the emergency that it is'. She added too many are being let down by the police and the criminal justice system. And she said: “We are sick and tired of women and girls facing the same threats of violence and abuse, generation after generation. Enough is enough."