Ten West Yorkshire police officers have been convicted of offences in the last three years, it has emerged.

They include a detective chief superintendent, among hundreds across the country.

Forces across the UK revealed 309 police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) were convicted of offences from 2012 to June this year.

But the number of convicted officers is thought to be much higher, as only 25 out of 45 forces provided figures following an investigation by the Press Association.

The highest ranked officer to be convicted since 2012 was West Yorkshire’s Det Chief Supt David Knopwood, for drink driving, according to the figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

Knopwood was sacked for gross misconduct last year after admitting driving while twice the legal alcohol limit.

West Yorkshire Police said from 2013 onwards, 10 police officers and one PCSO were convicted of criminal offences.

They included two male officers and a female officer were convicted assaults, three male officers were convicted of drink driving, two male officers were convicted of drink driving and one male officer was convicted of fraud. A female PCSO was also convicted of theft.

Currently at least 295 police officers and PCSOs with convictions are serving with the police, according to separate figures from 18 forces.

Most forces refused to reveal how many of their officers had previous convictions because of the cost of retrieving the information.