PC harassed woman as she walked with her child

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been convicted of harassing a woman as she walked with her child in a pushchair.

PC Raza Mahmood, 33, was found guilty of the offence after a trial at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Mahmood, who worked in the Calderdale district, had been accused of driving slowly alongside the woman as she walked along a street in Halifax on 26 March 2024.

He will be sentenced on 7 August.

Mahmood, who was off-duty at the time, shouted at the victim to come over to him, West Yorkshire Police said.

He was said to have driven off but then returned, following her in the car on at least four occasions, the force added.

Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins, said: "It is clear from the victim's account, and that of her partner who she called in a distressed state, the concern that they both felt for her and their child's safety as a result of this officer's actions.

"Protecting women and girls from violence and the fear of violence is a priority for West Yorkshire Police and for a police officer to harass a member of the public in this way is very concerning and something that we take extremely seriously."

Mahmood is currently suspended from duty and will face internal misconduct proceedings upon conclusion of the criminal case.

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