Police probe own vehicle 'misuse'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/6930313.stm

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Gwent Police has launched an internal investigation into the misuse of its own vehicles.

A force statement said its professional standards department was looking into allegations of "misuse of police vehicles while on duty".

No-one has been suspended at this stage, the statement added.

The force would not comment further on details of the inquiry or how it came to be instigated.

As enquiries continue, Gwent Police said "it would be inappropriate and indeed counter productive to comment further on any element of the investigation".

The force said it was not the normal policy to comment on internal matters.

'Rigorous and fair'

However, it added: "We are mindful that these investigations can be compromised by false speculation in the media, and also the public's confidence in Gwent Police could be compromised by a lack of comment from the force".

The statement continued: "Our aim is to ensure that all investigations, including internal, are undertaken by professionally-trained staff who can conduct their enquiries in a rigorous and fair manner to all parties.

"Our success in policing the communities of Gwent depends to a great degree on public support for, and trust in Gwent Police" the statement added.

It added that the force has an "enviable track record in terms of performance, and will not tolerate any behaviour that falls below the standard expected and required to continue to deliver a top quality service".