TWO police officers have been arrested after allegedly taking police cars for their own use, it was confirmed yesterday.

The officers, both constables based at Durham Constabulary's headquarters at Aykley Heads, Durham City, were arrested last week.

Both officers, who are understood to work for the force's surveillance unit, were arrested on suspicion of theft and accused of misusing police property as they arrived for a shift. They have been suspended from duty.

The officers are alleged to have each taken an unmarked police car for their own use without permission. Both vehicles were returned shortly afterwards.

The officers have been questioned on suspicion of theft relating to the petrol used.

Both are also the subject of an internal investigation for an alleged breach of discipline relating to the taking of the two cars.

A police spokesman said both officers were male constables, one aged 40 and the other 41.

The spokesman said: "Inquiries into both criminal and internal matters are being carried out by staff from the force's professional standards department."