A POLICE finance officer has been arrested and questioned over allegations that he has been operating an escort agency.

Civilian worker John Dockerty, 27, was arrested early on Saturday and questioned on suspicion of living off immoral earnings.

The Durham Police employee had been on sick leave for the past eight months from his post at force headquarters at Aykley Heads, Durham City.

Mr Dockerty and his business partner, clothes designer Douglas William Fox, 38, were arrested at their home in Consett.

They were questioned and released on police bail