Police staff warned over e-mails

Staff can only send e-mails relating to police business

More than 400 staff at Merseyside Police are to be reprimanded for sending inappropriate e-mails at work.

Assistant Chief Constable Graham Barker is also sending out warning letters to those caught playing computer games.

The move was prompted by an ongoing investigation into offensive e-mails sent by 22 Merseyside Police officers and 13 support staff.

Workers will be warned if they use their e-mail system for anything other than Merseyside Police business.

Last month an investigation was launched after offensive e-mails, believed to be racist and sexist, were uncovered on the force's e-mail system.

It was being "cleaned" to remove any trace of the messages.

Letters sent

It has not yet been decided whether the staff involved will lose their jobs.

Misuse of the police e-mail system was discovered during the investigation.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said on Monday: "More than 400 staff are going to get letters on the inappropriate use of e-mails.

"That covers anything that does not relate to Merseyside Police business."