Ex-Cop Frank Partridge Jailed for 7½ Years in West End Bribery Scandal
Licensing Officer Caught Taking Massive Bribes
Former Sergeant Frank Partridge, once a licensing officer for Westminster, has been slammed with a 7½-year prison sentence. He was convicted on seven counts of bribery after rigging licensing decisions in London’s West End. Partridge took cash, gifts, and lavish perks from bars and security firms to protect them from enforcement actions.
Corrupt Scheme Uncovered by Operation Joseph
Working closely with licensed venues, Partridge exploited his position to influence council licensing hearings. He received freebies like meals, drinks, bespoke clothes, tickets to exclusive events, and even a £7,000 family holiday. The massive anti-corruption probe, Operation Joseph, began in 2013. It involved combing through data from 178 devices and piles of paperwork to build the case.
Met Police Crackdown After Damning Findings
Partridge was booted from the Metropolitan Police back in 2016. Commander James Harman praised the investigation and revealed major reforms in how the Met handles licensing. New oversight teams and tighter ties with licensing bodies aim to prevent corruption like this from happening again.
“Better oversight and stronger partnerships between authorities and the industry are crucial to identifying and managing risks,” said Commander Harman.
Partridge’s Lies Caught in Court
In court, it emerged Partridge even lied about a nightclub linked to his bribe-givers, falsely claiming police had closed investigations with no further action. His shady dealings allowed crime allegations to be swept under the rug, protecting the venues and putting public safety at risk.
