National Crime Agency takes no action against senior police officer after investigation into mystery allegations

Officials refuse to disclose what Cleveland Police assistant chief constable had been accused of

(PA)

A senior police officer who was arrested and suspended from his job has been cleared of mystery allegations after a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.

Officials refused to disclose what Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Roberts, of Cleveland Police, had been accused of but said they would take no further action.

He was arrested on unknown charges in April 2019 and suspended from duty by the force, which has been rated the worst in England and Wales.

“The National Crime Agency was asked to independently investigate and after a thorough investigation no evidence of criminal wrongdoing was found and no further action will be taken,” a spokesperson for the NCA said.

Cleveland Police said it had lifted the suspension put in place pending the outcome of the investigation.

“We have been informed that no evidence was found to suggest that any criminal offences had been committed in relation to the allegations made and that ACC Roberts will face no further action,” a statement added.

”Cleveland Police can confirm that following the conclusion of the NCA investigation ACC Roberts' suspension has been lifted.“

The force, NCA and Chief Police Officers Staff Association have all refused to say what the allegations related to.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which was originally passed the case to investigate, said last year that the “alleged conduct matters were reported to have taken place outside of England and Wales”.

The NCA is responsible for serious and organised crime, including child sex abuse, fraud, drug and gun smuggling, modern slavery, money laundering, bribery and corruption.

In a statement, Mr Roberts said he was innocent of any crime and was now “concentrating on rebuilding my life”.

“On the basis of what amounted to unfounded allegations, I have suffered the indignity of more than 12 months under rigorous criminal investigation,” he added.

“The impact on my family has been immense, our lives have been put on hold and, in practical terms, my career of nearly 33 years of public service in policing brought towards a most unhappy close.”

He is currently on leave from Cleveland Police and is understood to be considering his future plans.

In September, the force became the first to be branded “failing” in all areas after inspectors found it was not preventing crime or protecting vulnerable people.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMICFRS) issued a damning report rating Cleveland Police “inadequate” and raising “serious concerns” about public safety and ethics.

It was placed into a national oversight process where officials can monitor planned improvements, and make a referral to the home secretary for potential sanctions if targets are not met.

Mike Veale, who was Mr Roberts' superior, resigned in January 2019 (PA)

Inspector Phil Gormley said he was “extremely concerned about the performance of Cleveland Police in keeping people safe and reducing crime”.

“The way that Cleveland Police treats the public and its workforce is inadequate,” he added. “I am very concerned at the lack of ethical behaviour in the force – senior leaders should be acting as positive role models and many are not.”

HMICFRS said it was the first time a police force had ever been graded as “inadequate” in all areas it inspects – effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy.

Cleveland Police, which covers areas including Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, has been plagued by a series of scandals and seen six chief constables in as many years.

Sean Price was sacked for gross misconduct in 2012 and Mike Veale resigned in January 2019 amid a probe into “serious” misconduct allegations.

Other officers have been reprimanded for racial discrimination, a malicious fake prosecution, unlawfully spying on journalists and inappropriate sexual behaviour.