SEVEN FORCES BEING INVESTIGATED

Inquiries into allegations of police corruption are under way in at
least seven forces:

Metropolitan Police

The largest anti-corruption drive for decades: 47 officers have been
suspended and 10 serving and former officers charged in connection
with drug and fraud allegations. Most of the officers involved come
from the former South East Regional Crime Squad and the Flying Squad,
the unit that tracks armed robbers.

Merseyside

Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Doyle, 48, a former deputy head of
the Merseyside Drug Squad, has been charged under the Prevention of
Corruption Act. In a separate investigation Detective Inspector Ian
Kemble was suspended this month.

Cleveland Police

Nearly 300 complaints have been made against 39 Cleveland police
officers. The investigation focuses on Middlesbrough CID, whose former
head Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon - who shot to fame with "zero
tolerance" - is one of eight officers suspended. Allegations involve
trading drugs for information from criminals and threatening suspects.
In a second inquiry four officers are being investigated over alleged
links with suspected drug smuggling.

West Midlands

Nine officers from the Drugs Squad have been disciplined - including
three dismissals - after allegations that included the theft of drugs
and money from informants and suspects. Out of the operation came a
secondary inquiry which resulted in a detective sergeant resigning. A
separate inquiry into allegations that officers were fabricating
"secondary detections" has led to five officers facing disciplinary
action and two being dismissed. In another inquiry a chief
superintendent is awaiting trial on charges of theft.

South Yorkshire

Eleven police officers and two civilians have been suspended after an
inquiry into allegations of fraud over the Government's hand-gun
compensation scheme.

Kent

A former detective constable has pleaded guilty to charges of
misconduct in connection with providing confidential information to
criminals.

Gwent

Frank Wilkinson, Chief Constable of Gwent, was suspended after
allegations were made surrounding the issue of a speeding ticket to a
prominent councillor and the award of contracts.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady