Merseyside Police officer faces sex offence charge

A Merseyside Police officer has been charged over an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old girl.

Simon Ferns, 42, who is suspended from duty, was charged under the Sexual Offences Act on Tuesday.

Police said he had been released on bail and was due to appear before Wirral Magistrates' Court on 8 July.

The charge follows an investigation by the Professional Standards Department managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

A police spokesman said: "It would not be appropriate to comment further."