Crumbs, that takes the biscuit

ABRITISH police officer has spent a year suspended from the beat after a colleague accused him of pinching his biscuits.

The constable is suspected of handing out the snacks to members of his team after finding an open box on a desk at the end of a busy night shift.

The owner of the biscuits reported the “theft” to bosses, who escalated the case by calling in anti-corruption colleagues.

The “suspect’ has been placed on restricted duties since last June while Scotland Yard’s directorate of professional standards investigates. Restricted duties usually means a paperwork-based role.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who represents more than 30 000 front line officers in London, said: “This shows yet again how lengthy disciplinary procedures are letting my officers down. When a constable can be held in abeyance for the best part of a year on restricted duties, well it is ridiculous.”

The biscuit row broke out at Kingston, in southwest London. It is not unusual for items to go missing in police stations, with scores of officers and civilian staff passing through 24 hours a day.

Scotland Yard said: “Following an internal report of the theft of a box of biscuits, an officer based in Kingston Borough was placed on restricted duties in June 2016. The investigation has nearly concluded”. – Daily Mail