PSNI officer charged with stealing police ammunition

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

A serving PSNI officer has been charged by detectives investigating the alleged theft of police ammunition.

The 63-year-old was charged with a range of offences, including theft of ammunition, possession of ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possession of prohibited ammunition and possessing ammunition without a certificate.

He was also charged with taking a vehicle without consent and making or supplying articles for use in frauds.

Serious Crime Branch detectives are investigating the case, and Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said it would be carried out “fully and without fear or favour”.

He said the public “rightly expect and demand the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from their police officers”.

“These values are fundamental to public trust and police legitimacy.

He described the material, which is alleged to have been stolen by the officer, as “sensitive” and “makes their alleged actions all the more egregious”.

And said a review is underway into “all the circumstances” surrounding the incident.

He said the case is being considered for a fast-track misconduct special case hearing, which would run alongside the criminal proceedings.