A DETECTIVE from Staffordshire Police's Child Abuse Investigation Unit will appear in court today over allegations he was grooming a teenage girl on the internet.

Detective Constable Andrew Rowe was last night charged with causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The 31-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, allegedly had inappropriate internet communications with a 15-year-old girl from Staffordshire.

Rowe, who is based in Stafford and has served with the force for 12 years, was arrested yesterday and questioned at Burton upon Trent police station, where he was detained last night.

He is due to appear before magistrates in the town today.

The investigation, which was sparked by information received by police on Sunday evening, is being led by a senior officer in the force's professional standards department.

Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale said: "DC Rowe was charged following close liaison with, and advice from, our colleagues at the Crown Prosecution Service.

"As with any case going through the courts, it is difficult for us to comment in any specific detail on this inquiry or the allegations which this officer must answer in due course.

"However, what I will emphasise is that Staffordshire Police treats the safeguarding and protection of children with complete and utter seriousness. It is one of our very highest policing priorities.

"With our partners, we are committed to doing everything we can to protect children from harm.

"In this case we are giving every support we can to the 15-year-old girl and her family, via a specially-trained family liaison officer.

"The overwhelming majority of Staffordshire Police officers work hard and with integrity to serve their communities, not least the more vulnerable groups, including children. Our officers and staff are under no illusion; we will always deal swiftly and firmly with allegations of criminal misconduct by people within the force, on the rare occasions they occur."

Mark Judson, chairman of Staffordshire Police Federation, said: "This is an ongoing investigation so it would be wrong for me to comment on it at this stage.

"The criminal investigation will take priority, but depending on what issues come out of it the case may come into my remit later, if it becomes an internal misconduct investigation.

"At the moment it is early days and we will have to see what happens."