Two off-duty officers from the UK Metropolitan Police have been arrested and suspended following allegations of assault and sexual assault during a group holiday trip to Budapest, Hungary, in June 2026. The arrests, confirmed by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards, came after a female officer reported being physically pulled into a room and grabbed by another officer at a party attended by about 15 colleagues.
Officers Arrested on Suspicion of Assault and Sexual Assault
One officer, attached to the Met’s Central North Command, was arrested on Monday, August 31, on suspicion of assault. A second officer from the same command was arrested on Thursday, September 3, on suspicion of sexual assault. Both officers have been released on bail and suspended from duty while the investigation continues, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police.
The alleged incidents took place in the Hungarian capital during what was described as a summer break. The gathering was reportedly held at an Airbnb property rented by the officers and included police personnel of different ranks, including sergeants and constables. Although some reports described the event as a sex party, there was no indication that any sexual activity actually took place.
Investigation and Police Response
Police bosses reportedly convened a “gold group,” a command structure used to coordinate senior-level responses to significant incidents or investigations. A source quoted by The Sun, which first reported the allegations, said senior police officials were “deeply embarrassed” by reports of what happened. “It beggars belief that this could happen,” the source said.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests in a formal statement, saying: “Two serving officers have been arrested following an investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards. One officer, attached to Central North Command, was arrested on Monday, 31 August on suspicion of assault. A second officer, attached to the same command, was arrested on Thursday, 3 September on suspicion of sexual assault.”
Ongoing Enquiries and Impact
The statement added: “The incidents are reported to have taken place in Budapest in June 2026. Both officers were bailed and have been suspended from duty, and enquiries continue into what is a complex investigation. All allegations of criminality or misconduct by officers are treated with the utmost seriousness.”
The investigation is ongoing, and both officers remain suspended pending the outcome. The case has raised concerns about conduct among off-duty police personnel during international trips.
