THE police officer, who helped the father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence, has been charged with possessing indecent images of children.
PC Paul Beckwith, 53, from York acted as a family liaison officer for North Yorkshire Police during Claudia’s disappearance 16 years ago.
The father of Claudia Lawrence, Peter Lawrence (left) and PC Paul Beckwith (right)[/caption]
Claudia Lawrence disappeared in March 2009, 16 years ago[/caption]
Police still have no answers to how the 35-year-old vanished without a trace[/caption]
He sat next to Claudia’s father, Peter Lawrence, in one of the first press conferences relating to the disappearance in March 2009.
Earlier this week Beckwith was charged with three counts of possessing indecent images of children and five counts of voyeurism.
The officer was suspended from his duties immediately after he was arrested on November 17 2024.
He has currently been released on bail awaiting an appearance at York Magistrate’s court on October 29.
In a statement to the Mirror, North Yorkshire Police said: “a former North Yorkshire Police officer has been charged with three counts of possessing indecent images of children and five counts of voyeurism.
“The 53-year-old man, from York, was arrested on 17 November 2024 on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children. He was immediately suspended from duties.
“He was further arrested on 13 March 2025 regarding the suspected voyeurism and additional indecent images of children offences. He is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on 29 October 2025 at 2pm.”
The Mirror reported that none of the charges against Beckwith relate to his time as a police officer.
In 2007, Beckwith told his local paper how he had witnessed how difficult it was for a parent to lose a child and he had seen the anguish first-hand whilst he was a family liaison officer.
Whilst still in the force, PC Beckwith was Chief Pilot of North Yorkshire Police Drone Unit. He would assist with the policing of major public events such as York races.
He said in a statement how pleased he was to keep the public safe: “I am delighted this operation was so successful, not only in protecting the public, horses and their riders from harm, but also in educating some members of the public on responsible and safe drone use.”
A year before his arrest the police constable led a remembrance parade in York city centre.
The charges come after Claudia’s mum, Joan Lawrence, raised concerns earlier this month that someone had broken into her daughter’s home three times.
Claudia Lawrence vanished near her home in Heworth, York, on March 18 2009.
The 35-year-old worked as a chef for the University of York and disappeared without a trace. Her last known contact was a phone call with her mum the same night.
Police launched a £1million manhunt but despite cops combing through 2,500 statements and phone records, they could provide no answer.
The cops now believe Claudia was murdered, but her body was never recovered.
Peter passed away in 2021 after searching for his daughter for 12 years and never finding out what happened to her.
His family released a statement after his death: “”It is sad that nearly 12 years after Claudia’s disappearance from York, Peter never found out what has happened to her.
“He was a very private person thrust into the full glare of the media, and despite a tireless campaign to find her he also selflessly devoted himself to helping others with missing relatives through the charity Missing People.”
Claudia’s mother has kept her daughter’s house exactly as it was[/caption]
Peter Lawrence passed away without knowing what happened to his daughter[/caption]
