IOPC Investigates Hertfordshire Police Over Tate Evidence Handling
Probe into 2015 child images and human trafficking evidence coincides with US extradition hearings for Andrew and Tristan Tate.
Carla Rooney
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating Hertfordshire Constabulary's handling of evidence seized from Andrew Tate's home in 2015.
The IOPC examines whether the initial investigation met guidance on child sex exploitation and human trafficking. A former detective constable faces potential gross misconduct proceedings for alleged failures to properly investigate the case; two former detective sergeants are also under investigation at the misconduct level for supervising the inquiry.
The Crown Prosecution Service first authorized charges in July 2026 against the 39-year-old over the alleged making and distribution of child abuse images. Police found 168 indecent images of a child on Andrew Tate's devices, with 66 classified as the most serious category A tier.
Text messages, photos, and location data indicated the devices were "used by Andrew Tate" and not shared. UK prosecutors allege Tate knew the girl was 17 when she flew to the UK to join his webcam sex business.
Hertfordshire Constabulary claims its original inquiry met national guidance. An IOPC spokesperson stated, "We are investigating a former detective constable for potential gross misconduct, relating to alleged failures to properly investigate, and two former detective sergeants at the level of misconduct, who supervised the investigation."
The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit stated it cannot comment further due to active legal proceedings. A spokesman for the unit noted, "Alongside the criminal justice process, an investigation by the IOPC is also being carried out in relation to the reports made to Hertfordshire Constabulary in 2015."
Andrew Tate publicly criticized UK prosecutors over the 2015 evidence police appeared to rely on to support the child sex offense charges. Joseph McBride, representing the Tates, asserted, "We will challenge every charge, every alleged factual basis, and every failure to satisfy the requirements of American law and the extradition treaty."
We will challenge every charge, every alleged factual basis, and every failure to satisfy the requirements of American law and the extradition treaty.
The IOPC probe will form part of a wider investigation announced by the watchdog into the force’s handling of historical sexual abuse allegations made against Tate between 2013 and 2015. McBride added, "You don’t have to like Andrew and Tristan Tate or agree with anything they say, but if the constitution doesn’t protect them, it doesn’t protect you either."