Rotherham policeman 'under investigation over complaint regarding child sex abuse scandal' dies after being hit by a car

Pc Hassan Ali was hit by a vehicle in Sheffield last month

South Yorkshire Police have been accused of treating victims with contempt (Getty Images)

A police officer who was thought to be under investigation by the police watchdog in relation to the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal has died following a collision with a car.

South Yorkshire Police said Pc Hassan Ali, 44, died today after he was hit by a vehicle in Sheffield last month when was off-duty.

The force said Mr Ali died in the early hours of Friday morning.

It is understood that complaints had been made about Pc Ali which related to the scandal involving the sexual exploitation of children in Rotherham and he was under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

According to the Sheffield Star, a complaint had been made against Pc Ali after he asked a sexual exploitation victim in Rotherham on a date on two occasions.

South Yorkshire Police said it could not confirm Pc Ali's involvement in the IPCC investigation. It said in a statement: "South Yorkshire Police received four public complaints relating to alleged misconduct of an officer.

"The force referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission."

Chief Constable David Crompton said: “All of our thoughts are with Hassan’s family and on behalf of the force I would like to offer my sincere condolences at this incredibly difficult time.

“PC Ali was a well-liked officer whose colleagues are devastated by what has happened.”

PC Ali was a neighbourhood policing officer based in Rotherham who had 18 years’ service with the force.