A serving police officer for South West London has been charged with two counts of rape.

PC Rupert Edwards, an officer in the South West Basic Command Unit (SW BCU) responsible for policing in Wandsworth, was arrested on suspicion of rape on 5 September.

The charges relate to alleged offences in Lambeth and Surrey against two women aged in their 20s and 30s.

PC Edwards, who was bailed and suspended from duty in September, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later today following a second arrest on suspicion of rape yesterday (December 8).

The rapes are said to have been committed in Lambeth on 26 August and in Surrey on 5 September, while PC Edwards was off duty.

Commander Jon Savell, in charge of the Met's professionalism command, said: "This news is deeply worrying and I recognise the concern it will cause the public and other police officers.

"We took immediate action to suspend PC Edwards from duty when he was first arrested in September. 

"Legal proceedings are now active and it is important that I do not comment while that process takes place."

The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Office for Police Conduct have been informed.