AN ELITE squad of corruption busters and a confidential phone line are likely to be set up in a bid to drive dishonest police out of the Lancashire force.

A new action plan aims to make the county's constabulary the most ethical in the country.

Officers who receive gifts for favours will be targeted and whistle blowers will be encouraged to pass on information to bosses about corrupt coppers.

Other ideas include a confidential phone line for officers to ring with concerns about colleagues.

And a squad is likely to be set up to seek out malpractice and misbehaviour.

A draft strategy has been put together in response to a report from a team of government appointed inspectors who researched 20 forces across the country.

Police chiefs say the vast majority of police officers are honest and ethical but claim huge harm can be caused by the minority of corrupt officers.

A wide range of topics is covered in the draft action plan including receiving gifts, dealing with money and monitoring standards of integrity. Assistant Chief Constable John Vine was put in charge of a group set up to work on the plan.

He said: "We recognised public confidence was becoming seriously affected by the bad behaviour of a minority of police staff.

"Lancashire Constabulary has traditionally recognised the importance of corporate and individual integrity and all members of staff are expected to aspire to those high standards."

ACC Vine added: "Many of the areas of concern highlighted in the inspection report are already being addressed but we are always looking at areas where we can improve."

A report on the action plan will be discussed tomorrow by Lancashire Police Authority's performance review and audit committee.

The report says: "The vast majority of men and women working in the police service are honest, industrious and dedicated but points to the great harm which can be caused by the comparative few who fail to meet acceptable standards of integrity."

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