Former Hertfordshire Police Community Support Officer sentenced over inappropriate relationship with child

A former Hertfordshire Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), who pursued an inappropriate and intimate relationship with a child that he met as part of his duties, has been issued a 12-month custodial sentence suspended for 18 months.

Keith Sayers, aged 43, was sentenced yesterday at the St Albans Crown Court after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office (MIPO) and three charges of unlawfully accessing police systems, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A sexual risk order was also sought, which was granted by the court in May.

The investigation found that former PCSO Sayers pursued an inappropriate and intimate relationship with a child that he had met as part of his work as a PCSO. The relationship lasted between 2021 and 2024.

He regularly met up with the child, who was between the ages of 14 and 16 at the time, in private and while off-duty. On one of these occasions they met in private, former PCSO Sayers admitted that he kissed the child and on another occasion he saw explicit images of her. Both incidents occurred when she was 16 years old. Inappropriate Whatsapp messages he sent her were also found on his phone.

Former PCSO Sayers admitted to unlawfully accessing police systems to search confidential information about the child as well as personal details of other individuals known to her.

IOPC Director of Engagement Emily Barry said: “Through his role as a Youth Crime PCSO, Keith Sayers was in contact with vulnerable children. He took advantage of his position and completely abused the trust placed in him by pursuing a completely inappropriate relationship with a child that he met through his role.

“He knew his actions were wrong and a clear breach of police guidance but continued the long-term relationship anyway.

“Today he has been held accountable and the sentence he has received shows the serious consequences those in policing can face when they abuse their position.”

Our investigation began in February 2024, following a mandatory referral from the force. After completing our investigation in July 2025, we decided to send a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Services, which authorised the charges.

In December 2025, he was dismissed without notice for gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing arranged by Hertfordshire Constabulary.