Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has committed to taking every available step to punish officers who abuse their position and damage trust in policing, after a jailed Lancashire officer forfeited a portion of his pension.

Darren Coathup, who was sentenced to two years in prison in February 2023 for abusing his position for a sexual purpose, had 65% of his pension taken for a period of five years once he is eligible to receive it, following a pension forfeiture decision, taken by Commissioner Grunshaw following discussions with legal experts and the Anti-Corruption Unit.

Police officers can have their pensions forfeited if they are convicted of a criminal offence in connection with their service that could result in a serious loss of confidence.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

“As Commissioner I will continue to support the Constabulary on policing standards and the processes they have in place to spot the signs of anyone abusing their position, remove them from the streets and put them behind bars.

“When we can go further, and take steps to ensure police officers who break the trust of colleagues and the people of Lancashire, forfeit the fullest amount of their pension we can, we will take absolutely every available step to do so.

“This decision sends a clear message that any form of misconduct, especially those that exploit the vulnerable, will not be tolerated within Lancashire. Pension forfeiture is a significant step and shows how those who are entrusted with the duty to serve and protect are held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability and where they fall short of these standards, will be tackled with every tool we have.”

Sam Mackenzie, Deputy Chief Constable for Lancashire Constabulary said:

“Offending of such an appalling nature must have wide reaching consequences and it is right that the decision has been taken to subject Coathup to this pension forfeiture and I’m sure the public would expect us to take such a step when dealing with officers who have been convicted of criminal offences. ”

The forfeiture is made against the Constabulary’s contributions. An officers’ own contributions to the pension cannot be subject to forfeiture.