GREATER Manchester Police has carried out more investigations into breaches of social media guidelines than any other force in England and Wales.

The force investigated 88 breaches in the past five years — more than the West Midlands with 74 and the Metropolitan with 69.

Investigations found police officers and civilians making racist and threatening comments on Facebook and Twitter.

They had also sent friend requests to victims of crime and uploaded images of colleagues in "compromising positions".

A total of 828 cases were reported to police bosses across England in Wales ranging from social media gaffes to sackable offences which threatened to bring forces into disrepute.

About 14 per cent of all investigations resulted in no further action. This compared with about nine per cent of cases ending in a resignation, dismissal or retirement.

One officer resigned over their "excessive and inappropriate use of the internet during working hours", in particular, their use of online auction sites, internet banking and social networking sites.

Chief Constable Alex Marshall, chief executive of the College of Policing, said: “People working in policing must always be mindful of the high standards that the public expect from us.

“The vast majority of police officers and staff uphold these high standards and in many cases are responsible for challenging and reporting colleagues who act improperly or unlawfully.

"Where people working in policing have undermined their own reputation or that of the wider service, they must face appropriate action.”