The Police Service of Northern Ireland has welcomed the conclusions of a Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland investigation, which found no evidence that a police officer sexually assaulted a member of the public.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray, Head of the PSNI's Professional Standards Department, said: "When concerns were identified in relation to this incident, the Chief Constable referred this matter to the Police Ombudsman for an independent investigation. "We fully supported that investigation from the outset and recognised the harm these type of serious allegations can cause – and also the wider damage it can have to public confidence in policing. It is important that any reports of this nature are fully investigated.

"Police officers are often placed in difficult and challenging situations in order to keep people safe, as identified on this occasion in February.

"We welcome the outcome that the officer should not be prosecuted as there was insufficient evidence that an offence had been committed and also welcome the subsequent review which found there were no misconduct matters.

"The officer, as established within the findings of this investigation, acted correctly and did not breach our Code of Ethics.

"These situations can be extremely challenging for those making the allegations and those officers who are subject to those allegations, however, independent accountability is an important feature for policing in Northern Ireland."