The number of police officers dismissed and barred from police forces across England and Wales has been revealed, including 21 struck off for child sexual offences.

Figures from the College of Policing show 735 officers were banned from returning to service in the year to the end of March, compared to 593 in the previous year - an increase of 24%.

This is the equivalent of more than two officers being added to the barred list every day.

The most common reasons for the dismissals were dishonesty (126 cases), discriminatory behaviour (95), unlawful access or disclosure of information (82), inappropriate communications (81), and sexual offences or misconduct (72).

Child sexual offences were involved in 21 cases, while abuse of position for a sexual purpose was named as one or more of the

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