Met investigated claims that officers stole theft proceeds

The Metropolitan Police has investigated claims that some of its officers stole the proceeds of a robbery, but the inquiry did not uncover sufficient evidence for a prosecution or disciplinary action against the officers involved, a spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said last night. The announcement followed a report in today's Mirror newspaper, claiming that a small group of Flying Squad officers was suspected of helping itself to more than pounds 350,000 stolen in a security van raid.

The revelation comes after news that a team of detectives has been set up to tackle corruption within Scotland Yard. The new unit of the Metropolitan Police's Complaints Investigation Bureau, CIB3, will take a proactive role in identifying and investigating corrupt officers, rather than waiting for complaints.

Meanwhile, in the courts, the police yesterday faced three cases of alleged wrong-doing: a man who spent more than five years in jail after police officers from a West Midlands squad made up his "confession" was awarded pounds 200,000 compensation; a black couple won more than pounds 60,000 after they were allegedly beaten by police when they complained about a "violent" arrest; and police officers traded heroin for information on crimes, an inquest heard, although police denied any drugs had been bought by officers.