Twelve Redbridge police officers have been arrested in the last three years, including two sergeants.

Documents released under a Freedom on Information request show the officers were arrested on suspicion of offences including corruption, violence against the person and drink driving.

Five suspects went on to be charged with an offence, and in the same period seven Redbridge police officers were convicted for theft, violence, drink driving and traffic offences.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said that the borough employs about 800 officers and police staff.

She added: “Therefore the number of police officers who were arrested, charged, convicted or disciplined represents an extremely small portion of the police officers based at Redbridge.”

None of those convicted of an offence were sacked from the service, although some did resign or were subject to “formal action”. Others were subject to “management” action or “words of advice”.

Of the twelve officers arrested since November 2008, allegations against six of them were found to be unsubstantiated.

The MPS spokesman said: “The MPS expects its staff to behave professionally, ethically and with the utmost integrity at all times.

“Any instance where the conduct of the staff brings the MPS into disrepute is treated extremely seriously.”