FIVE serving Gwent police officers were arrested today in connection with alleged offences of misconduct and corruption following an internal investigation.

A local man was also arrested and a criminal investigation into the allegations is now under way under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

All five officers are in custody and were due to be questioned during the day. Four of the officers are sergeants and one is a constable. All are men.

Gwent police assistant chief constable William Horne told the Argus: "We will be considering the issue of suspension during the day." He would not comment on how or when the internal investigation started, but said: "Matters came to our attention that clearly deserved further inquiry."

And he added: "The definition of corruption is people in public office acting inappropriately. I can not be any more specific. "All will become clear in due course.

"If police officers are going to be serving alongside others they need to be sure that when there are concerns raised they will be thoroughly and professionally investigated. The public need to have confidence in the police."

The boss of the IPCC in Wales promised the investigation would get to the truth.

Commissioner Tom Davies said: "Such matters are extremely serious and go to the heart of public confidence in the police.

"We would wish to ensure the right level of expertise and resources is put into the full inquiry. It will be my role to supervise with a range of advisers to ensure that that level of investigative power is put in.

"We are supervising this inquiry and have every confidence in the way Gwent Police are handling it.

"I have agreed the terms of reference and will use my powers of supervision with Gwent Police to ensure that the investigation gets to the truth and the public be kept informed."

The findings of the investigation will be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for their consideration in due course.