A serving police officer has been charged with two counts of rape. Pc Ravi Canhye, of Dorset Police, is alleged to have committed the offences while off-duty early last year. The 46-year-old has been charged with eight sexual offences in total, including the two rapes, against two women. He was charged on January 24 and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday to face the charges. Dorset Police said: "The charges relate to offences against two women committed while Ravi Canhye was off-duty during early 2022. "Ravi Canhye was immediately suspended at the time the allegations were made and has remained suspended throughout the investigation." The force added: "The matter was subject of a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who has decided it should be subject to a local investigation by Dorset Police

"We understand that charges of this nature will quite rightfully cause concern within our communities. "However, due to the ongoing legal proceedings, we are prevented from commenting on this matter any further at this time." Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week