Rapists, stalkers and thieves all worked as police officers

MORE than 2,000 frontline police officers have been barred for inappropriate behaviour including criminal offences, shocking figures have revealed.

- By Giles Sheldrick Chief Reporter

Rapists, stalkers and thieves have all served among their ranks, the data showed.

Some 2,098 regular officers now sit on a barred list, figures from the College of Policing show. But the running total could be the tip of the iceberg, it was suggested.

Former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley, 66, said: "These ghastly monsters have gone on to murder, rape, lie, cheat, steal, sexually abuse children, batter their partners, deal drugs, and much, much more.

"Fortunately, a huge effort to rid policing of these vile people ha seen thousands of them jailed or otherwise banished from policing in recent times, and the purge continues. But the damage to the reputation of policing and those who carry warrant cards is huge."

Concerning