FIVE police officers in Burnley have been charged with disciplinary offences relating to the alleged operation of a taxi business.

The four detectives and a uniformed constable are among a total of 13 police officers at Burnley under various investigations for alleged breaches of internal rules it has been revealed.

The five, all men, have been charged with disciplinary offences following a prolonged investigation and are due to appear before Chief Constable Pauline Clare at a disciplinary hearing in March.

All five were last week moved from Burnley to other parts of the force. Other officers involved in the separate inquiries have also been moved. No-one has been dismissed or suspended from duty.

A police spokesman stressed that none of the officers involved in a number of internal inquiries had been accused of any kind of criminal activity.

Neither did the movement of the officers imply any finding of guilt or innocence relating to the disciplinary issues.

In March the Chief Constable will hear evidence arising from the internal investigation and from the individual officers concerned before making a decision.

The new commander of the Pennine Division of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, Chief Supt Ian McPherson, confirmed that a number of internal inquiries involving a total of 13 officers were taking place in the division.

All involve the alleged disobedience of orders, basically the breaking of internal rules and regulations. Nothing of any criminal matter was alleged. No other details have been revealed.

The alleged operation of a taxi business by officers at Burnley was revealed by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in February. An investigation was started by the Lancashire Constabulary discipline and complaints unit at Hutton headquarters after it was referred to them by the then divisional commander, Chief Supterintendent Mike Griffin, who recently retired.

At a later meeting in Padiham, Mr Griffin responded to a comment from a member of the public and firmly denied that a private taxi business had been run from Burnley police station.

Under police regulations outside work can be carried out in particular circumstances.

It is understood the officers sought permission to be involved in a taxi operation taking people to Manchester Airport and that was turned down.

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