At least
2,000 officers have been suspected of tipping off criminals, stealing
and fabricating evidence, says a Home Office report.
The
Home Office Select Committee will launch an investigation next month
into police corruption after claims officers also used their power to
get money and sex.
The
probe comes amid a series of police scandals that have related to
recent inquiries involving phone-hacking and the Plebgate scandal.
A Home Office report revealed that the
government estimate that at least 2,000 officers of all ranks could be
corrupt (file picture)
In
a Home Office report analysis by researchers revealed that the
government estimate that at least 2,000 officers of all ranks could be
comprimising the police by dealing with criminals.
The
report states that intelligence over a one year period from some forces
involved in their research showed that between 0.5 per cent and one per
cent of the 200,000 police staff were 'potentially corrupt.'
It
explains: 'Corrupt activities across these examples have included the
protection of criminals for financial payments, the theft and recycling
of drugs to criminals, the stealing of money from crime scenes, and the
fabrication of evidence to obtain convictions.'
It also adds how some officers 'used their powers to obtain money or sexual favours from the public.'
Among
the corrupt practices listed by the 2003 report are dealing and using
drugs, fraud and domestic violence as well using 'sexist, racist and
homophobic behaviour.'
It
also pointed to raids where suspects could have been tipped off because
when officers arrived there was no incriminating evidence and they
already 'had the kettle on'.
Critics say the 2003 Home Office report shows why no Home Secretary Theresa May is trying to tackle historical scandals
The
report also adds that corruption could be taking place at all levels
and suggests that police should be dealt with behind closed doors if
they commit crimes, to make it 'less damaging'.
Critics say this Home Office report shows why now Home Secretary Theresa May is having to deal with historic police scandals.
Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee and Conservative MP Lorraine Fullbrook told the Independent: 'Labour's kid-gloves treatment of the police bred a lack of accountability which ultimately let down the public.
'There
has been a loss of confidence in the police as a result, which is quite
dangerous. Theresa is trying to tackle these historic issues to restore
the public's trust.'
Earlier
this year, it also emerged that dozens of corrupt police officers
helped organised criminals hide evidence, intimidate witnesses and
access details of ongoing operations.
Earlier this year, an internal
investigation at Scotland Yard by the Metropolitan Police claimed some
officers helped organised criminals to hide evidence
An
internal investigation by the Metropolitan Police claimed officers were
bribed to destroy surveillance logs and some officers even co-owned
houses and racehorses with suspected gang leaders.
The
2002 report, produced as part of Operation Tiberius, an investigation
into police corruption, named 80 corrupt officers. More than half of
them were still serving at the time.
However,
a statement issued by Scotland Yard said said that the Met continued to
investigate corruption, and has 'no complacency' about the matter.
Policing
minister Mike Penning told the newspaper: 'The public expect the police
to act with honesty and integrity and it is right that the full force
of criminal law is available to punish and deter acts of corruption by
police officers.'
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