More police credit cards removed

The inquiry began amid claims that some employees misused the cards

A total of 1,400 credit cards given to police officers have been withdrawn as part of an inquiry into alleged unauthorised spending.

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) inquiry said almost £2m of police expenses remained unaccounted for.

In January, a total of 800 cards had been confiscated - but now, a further 600 have been withdrawn.

The inquiry, examining expenses dating back to 2003, began amid claims some employees misused the credit cards.

MPA auditors examined paperwork as senior officers insisted only a small number of officers were involved in misconduct.

Last year, two detectives were arrested on suspicion of theft in connection with the inquiry and were bailed.

The Metropolitan Police gave 3,533 American Express credit cards to its officers and staff in 2003 in a bid to reduce bureaucracy as they claimed expenses necessary for their jobs.

Spending limit

Initially, MPA auditors uncovered more than £3.6m of credit card spending that was not properly explained.

The latest MPA report has stated that £1.88m of spending remained unaccounted for, with £96,000 of that sum currently under investigation.

The inquiry prompted changes to the way the Metropolitan Police monitors its expenses. Under a new scheme, most officers will have a credit card spending limit of £5,000 per year.

Officers who fail to justify expenses within 30 days will have their cards withdrawn and unauthorised spending will be deducted from their salaries.

However, the latest batch of card confiscations relates to earlier investigations and is not the result of recent discrepancies.

In January, London Assembly chair Len Duvall said it was "a disgrace" that such an inquiry was necessary. He told the assembly that senior officers had to show more responsibility when it came to spending public money.