HUNDREDS of police officers have been convicted of offences including sex crimes, assaults and possessing indecent images of children in the last three years, new figures reveal today.

A total of 309 police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) were convicted of offences from 2012 to June this year.

But the true number of convicted officers is likely to be significantly higher, as only 25 out of 45 forces provided figures in response to an investigation by the Press Association news agency.

Currently, at least 295 convicted police officers and PCSOs remain on the job, according to separate figures from 18 forces.

The highest-ranked officer to be convicted was West Yorkshire Detective Chief Superintendent David Knopwood, who was sacked for gross misconduct last year after he admitted driving with twice the legal alcohol limit in his blood.

The Metropolitan Police said 178 police officers had been convicted of offences from 2012 to March 31 this year.

Fifty-four of the officers were still serving with the force, including 10 who were awaiting the conclusion of misconduct review hearings, it said.

Convictions involving Met officers last year included two sexual offences, four violence-against-the-person offences, three thefts and 19 traffic offences.

Greater Manchester Police said 12 police officers and five PCSOs had been convicted of offences since 2012.

A male sergeant was convicted of misconduct in public office, a male inspector was convicted of fraud and a male constable was convicted of possession of class B drugs, the force said.

Other offences included perjury, theft, harassment, possession of offensive weapons, perverting the course of justice and driving offences.

Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland were among the forces that refused to provide information.

Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer, the National Police Chiefs’ Council head of professional standards and ethics, said: “One year on, the code of ethics is now well embedded across the service and clearly sets out the standards of professional behaviour expected of officers and staff.

“When members of the service fall short of these standards, well-established and rigorous processes are in place to ensure appropriate action is taken.

“The decision by a force to retain someone with a conviction will have been carefully considered and only taken following a clear, national and regulated process.”