Shoreham air crash 'selfie' PCs quit posts

Eleven people died in the crash on the A27 in Shoreham on 22 August

Two Sussex police constables questioned over their conduct at the site of the Shoreham air crash have left the force.

The two probationary officers, aged 23 and 24, appeared before Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith, who recommended they should be dismissed.

Both officers have since resigned, Sussex Police said.

The investigation came after they filmed themselves near the site of the air crash where 11 people died after a jet crashed on to the A27 on 22 August.

The recording was made at the police cordon and accompanied by an inappropriate and offensive message.

'Lack of compassion'

Sussex Police launched an internal investigation after the footage and message were sent on social media to a colleague who reported the pair.

The force said both constables exercised their right to tender resignations under regulation 13, a provision specific to probationary officers.

Chief Constable Giles York said the pair were "clearly remorseful" and had acknowledged the impact of their actions, but would not go on to become "well-conducted officers" in his view.

"When it really mattered the officers failed to show understanding and compassion for the victims and their families," Mr York said.

Genuine mistakes were forgivable, he added, but said the behaviour of the two officers was "inexplicable and caused unnecessary distress to the families of those involved".

The Sussex Police Federation, which had represented the two officers throughout the case, said: "We are content that they have been judged fairly and accept and understand the decision that has been reached."

The victims:

(Top row, left to right) Matt Jones, Matthew Grimstone, Jacob Schilt, Maurice Abrahams, Richard Smith. (Bottom row, left to right) Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell, Mark Trussler, Daniele Polito, Dylan Archer, Graham Mallinson

• Matt Jones, a 24-year-old personal trainer

• Matthew Grimstone, 23, a Worthing United footballer who worked as a groundsman at Brighton & Hove Albion

• Jacob Schilt, also 23 and also a Worthing United player, was travelling to a match with Mr Grimstone

• Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton, was a chauffeur on his way to pick up a bride on her wedding day

• Friends Richard Smith, 26, and Dylan Archer, 42, who were going for a bike ride on the South Downs

• Mark Reeves, 53, had ridden his motorcycle to the perimeter of Shoreham Airport to take photos of the planes

• Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove was an aircraft enthusiast and had learnt to fly at Shoreham airfield

• Mark Trussler, 54, is thought to have been riding his motorcycle on the A27

• Daniele Polito was travelling in the same car as Mr Jones

• Graham Mallinson, 72, from Newick, was a keen photographer and retired engineer