Merseyside Police saw the highest number of officers sacked and barred in 2023-24 for at least six years, new figures show.

Meanwhile, the number soared across England and Wales, with nearly 600 officers kicked out of the service.

Since 2017, officers sacked for misconduct are added to the 'barred list', which prevents them from working for the police.

New figures from the College of Policing show 22 officers were sacked and barred from Merseyside Police in 2023-24 – the highest figure since at least 2018-19.

Of these, 10 were dismissed and banned while serving, while 12 had already resigned.

Since 2018-19, 60 officers have been kicked out of Merseyside Police.

The figures also show 593 officers were fired and barred from police forces across England and Wales in 2023-24, up 50% from 394 a year earlier.

The College of Policing is a professional body for people working in policing.

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, director of operational standards at the organisation, said: "It is of course, hugely disappointing to see the conduct of a number of officers falling far below the standard that we set for policing and which the public rightly expects.

"However, these figures show that we have effective, robust procedures in place to identify and deal with these officers swiftly, and to prevent them from holding future roles in within the police."

He said there was "nowhere to hide" for those who do not meet police standards, warning their behaviour erodes public trust.

"The service will continue working to ensure we attract the right people into policing, ensuring that those who fail to meet these high standards have no future in policing," he added.

Among all police forces, dishonesty was the most common reason recorded for sacking, in 125 cases, while sexual offences or misconduct was recorded in 74.

Discriminatory behaviour was recorded in 71 cases, and unlawful access to or disclosure of information in 66.

Eighteen officers were sacked for being part of a discriminatory WhatsApp group, the same number for possessing indecent images of children, and 33 for abusing their position for a sexual purpose.

More than one reason can be cited as grounds for dismissal.