EIGHT police officers working for West Mercia Police force are currently being investigated on suspicion of crimes including rape, sexual assault, misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice.

The figures, made public on Thursday, are as a result of a Freedom of Information request.

They reveal a total of nine West Mercia Police Force employees are under investigation, including one member of staff and eight police officers.

Three of the officers were being investigated for sexual offences, including one for rape and one for sexual assault as well as misconduct in a public office.

Of the eight officers, six were on duty when they committed the alleged crimes.

The figures also show three police officers have been convicted of crimes, including common assault, misuse of computer system and driving with excess alcohol in the past year.

Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman said: “The vast majority of our workforce are honest, hard working individuals who are dedicated to serving our local communities.

“However, as unfortunately is the case at many large organisations, there is a minority who at some point in their career, decide not to adhere to the high standards expected of them.”

The revelation comes in the same week that PC Jordan Powell was sacked from the force after receiving a prison sentence for three counts of misconduct in a public office, which he admitted.

The 31-year-old was dismissed without notice at a special case hearing chaired by Chief Constable David Shaw after being jailed for 15 months at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday, September 16.

The convictions relate to sending inappropriate text messages to a victim of domestic violence who he met through his job. Powell engaged in a sexual relationship with the woman while he was on duty and he also admitted sending another female victim of crime inappropriate text messages of a sexual nature.