Police officer arrested on suspicion of fraud and misconduct

Rachel Hewitt, 39, who worked in Selby, was arrested by the force’s Professional Standards Unit on Monday morning.

Colleagues are reported to have raised £20,000 for the family after PC Hewitt told them her 15-year-old daughter had cancer.

PC Hewitt, who is on a career break from the force, lives with husband John, a 44-year-old security guard, and daughters Natasha and Jessica, 12, in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire.

The family are well-known in the showjumping world as both the girls compete, with Jessica riding at a professional level.

Jessica has won numerous awards in recent years. She competed at the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham’s NEC at the weekend on horse Wanda Bewitched.

The family feature on popular showjumping website EquiFeast, where PC Hewitt writes about her daughters’ career highlights, saying: “Jess won both preliminary rounds and the 128 National final, taking every 128 National class at Scope this year.”

In another post she wrote: “Natasha and Karlos Fandango tried their hand at hunter trialling last Sun and came 6th in the open pony and won the pairs with her friend, I think she had such a good time that we will be doing more.”

The family are said to own at least six ponies and their home has stables and a paddock. There are also practice jumps for Jessica and her sister.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police confirmed a 39-year-old woman had been arrested by officers. She has since been bailed, he said.

He said: “As this is an ongoing investigation it is inappropriate to comment further.”

He said the woman was on a career break and not currently employed by North Yorkshire Police.

Mark Botham, chairman of the North Yorkshire Police Federation, said he was aware of the arrest of a 39-year-old woman, but said: “These matters are under investigation and, until that investigation has been completed, it would not be appropriate for us to make any comment.”