The Chief Constable of Cleveland and his deputy were yesterday morning arrested by detectives investigating allegations of misconduct, abuse of position and corrupt practice. They were suspended from their positions later in the day.

Sean Price and deputy Derek Bonnard were questioned at a police station in North Yorkshire. A woman was also arrested. The inquiry is being conducted by Warwickshire Police Chief Constable Keith Bristow. He is being assisted by senior detectives from North Yorkshire Police. In May, the Warwickshire force was brought in to oversee a wide-ranging corruption investigation after allegations were made against present and former members of Cleveland Police Authority.

A statement from Warwickshire Police said: “Police officers conducting a criminal investigation into a number of people with current or past associations with Cleveland Police Authority and the manner in which the authority may have conducted some of its business have arrested three people on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, fraud by abuse of position and corrupt practice.”