Detective held in corruption probe

A police officer who up until recently was working with one of the country's key intelligence agencies has been arrested on suspicion of corruption, it emerged today.

The 42-year-old detective sergeant, who had been on secondment at the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), was arrested at his home in Hampton Court, south-west London, yesterday.

NCIS is the major intelligence agency targeting organised crime.
Scotland Yard said the officer's arrest was part of a long-term operation by its Anti-Corruption Command.

It is alleged that the man had a corrupt relationship with a former Metropolitan Police officer.

He was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to money launder, misconduct in a public office and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The alleged offences took place over a lengthy period of time up to the date of his arrest.

The officer was interviewed at a south London police station before being bailed to return on a date in October.

A number of addresses have been searched as part of the inquiry, one of them on Spain's Costa del Sol.

Scotland Yard said the arrested male officer, currently based within the borough of Kingston, had been suspended while the investigation was being carried out.

A spokesman said the force was not prepared to discuss the operation further.