Entire crime squad is investigated for corruption

AN entire police crime squad in a London borough is being investigated for corruption.

Nine police officers have been suspended and two others placed on restricted duties after an internal inquiry was conducted.

All the officers are based on the Enfield borough crime squad which deals with local robberies and burglaries and the inquiry centres on the "mishandling of property" believed to be stolen electronic goods including televisions.

All those suspended are detective constables while those placed on restrictive duties are understood to be more senior officers. None of the officers has been arrested.

Dozens of officers from the elite anti-corruption squad - dubbed the Ghost Squad - swooped on the officers at Edmonton police station yesterday. Desks and lockers were searched as the station was turned into a crime scene.

The homes of the suspended officers were also searched.

The raid was the culmination of what was believed to be a year-long operation by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards. Hidden cameras are thought to have been installed at the police station to try to catch suspect officers taking items from the property stores which, sources said, did not include drugs or weapons.

A spokeswoman said: "Nine officers were suspended and two also put on restricted duties.

"The investigation centres on the alleged mishandling of property.

"All the officers are based on Enfield borough. There have been no arrests and inquiries continue."

The spokeswoman added: "The Metropolitan Police demands the highest levels of honesty and integrity from its officers and staff. All allegations of malpractice are taken extremely seriously and are investigated swiftly and thoroughly."

The raids are the biggest anti-corruption operation involving serving police officers in the Met since the mid-Nineties when Scotland Yard launched a drive against corruption within specialist squads and set up a dedicated unit which included retired detectives and accountants.