Eight police officers suspended over alleged racism

Greater Manchester Police said the claims were "deeply concerning"

Eight police officers have been suspended following an investigation into alleged racial discrimination.

Greater Manchester Police said a ninth officer had been placed on restricted duties.

The force said it followed the earlier suspension of five officers and two others being placed on restricted duties, all from the Bury district, earlier in July.

The action came following internal investigations into "deeply concerning" reports of discriminatory behaviour, and the force said it had made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in relation to both cases.

'Thorough investigation'

Further details of the circumstances surrounding the alleged discrimination have not been disclosed.

GMP said seven of the latest officers to be suspended were also from the Bury district, and one is from Rochdale but was working in Bury at the time of the allegations.

The IOPC said it was investigating the first report and has reviewed and referred the second back to GMP to investigate.

Det Ch Supt Mike Allen, head of GMP's professional standards directorate, said: "The reports we have received are deeply concerning and I hope to reassure the community of Bury, the wider public, and the GMP workforce that a full and thorough investigation is being conducted into these matters."