Foul-mouthed traffic police caught on their own speed camera

The insulting outbursts by PCs Robert Topliss and Adrian Wootton were recorded as they cruised through a village in Lincolnshire in an unmarked police car, while on the lookout for speeding motorists.

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Without realising they were taping themselves, the traffic officers chatted about wanting to have sex with a girl they had just passed, accused their bosses of being "lazy" and discussed how they themselves should be promoted.

A formal inquiry has now been launched into their behaviour after the tape containing their comments was played in court.

The embarrassing tape only came to light when motorist James Chinn, 28, appealed against losing his licence for driving without due care and attention.

He had been caught speeding on the same in-car camera as he overtook the officers in the village of Gosberton, interrupting their discussion.

When Mr Chinn's appeal against his sentence reached court, the barrister for the Crown Prosecution Service had her request rejected that the video be played without sound.

Laura Pitman told Recorder Paul Mann QC: "Your Honour, in respect of the video recording, I was proposing to play it with the sound turned down - the reason being that the language used by the officers is inappropriate.

"I'm giving the court forewarning that some of the content of the tape is not very palatable."

The video was then played, including the foul-mouthed exchange between Topliss and Wootton.

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Mr Chinn, whose appeal was successful, said: "I couldn't believe what I heard when they played it in court. They were out of order. They were swearing a lot and being abusive."

On the tape, the two officers are heard commenting on a woman who walks alongside their car, and discussing a sexual act they would like her to perform for them.

At one point Topliss and Wootton suddenly realise that their conversation could land them in trouble, and they can be heard asking each other: "Is the tape running?'

Deputy Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police Richard Crompton said: "The conduct of the two officers fell well below the standard we expect and demand, and is being dealt with."

A police spokeswoman added: "The CPS made us aware of the inappropriate content of part of the video tape.

"The two officers were immediately seen by a senior officer about the comments and the unprofessional conduct. The matter is still being considered in the context of professional standards."