Anti-groping cop nabbed for molest

TOKYO: A Japanese police officer in charge of crackdown on groping was arrested for allegedly molesting a teenager, a newspaper said today.
The 30-year-old officer was arrested on suspicion of having groped the buttocks of a 19-year-old female university student in a bicycle parking area in Hiratsuka city, near Tokyo, Kanagawa Shimbun reported, citing local police.
The officer admitted to the allegations, saying he "did wrong to the victim," the paper reported.
The Kanagawa prefectural police said it was "inappropriate behaviour by a police officer. We will look into the matter and respond harshly".
Groping is a serious social problem in Japan, and those found guilty are given prison sentences or face a penalty charge. Many train operators have introduced women-only carriages during rush hour to combat the problem. – dpa