Blackpool police officer convicted for possession of child sex images

PC Andrew Birch, 54, of Blackpool, was summonsed to court in June last year after police received information he was in possession of a number of indecent images of children.

PC Birch was convicted following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court of one count of possession of indecent images.

He was acquitted of a second count.

Yesterday he was given a conditional discharge and ordered to sign the sex offenders register and to pay £1500 costs.

PC Birch had been suspended from duty immediately the images were discovered to be in his possession.

Misconduct proceedings will now follow.

Detective Supt Sam Mackenzie, head of Professional Standards at Lancashire Police, said: “We condemn the actions of this officer and we have initiated misconduct proceedings against him.

“We expect the highest standards of our officers and staff and the vast majority adhere to these standards.

"Where anyone falls short we will take robust action as in this case.”