Five Kent detectives arrested in crime statistics investigation
Five Kent detectives have been arrested as part of an investigation into the alleged manipulation of crime figures.
They are accused of convincing suspects to admit to offences they had not carried out in order to meet targets.
An anti-corruption investigation was started following a tip-off from an officer over allegations relating to vehicle crime, the BBC understands.
The arrested officers include a detective inspector, detective sergeant and three detective constables.
Kent Police said they were arrested in Maidstone on Monday over "administrative irregularities in the way prisoners had been dealt" and released on bail.
The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said: "Any reports of wrongdoing or offences by officers are investigated thoroughly by Kent Police, in the same way as anyone else.
"Like everyone else, anyone arrested is innocent until proven guilty.
"Any allegations will be scrutinised and any officer falling short of the high standards of integrity and professionalism expected by the force and the public will be dealt with appropriately."
He added: "As in most organisations, Kent Police sets force-wide targets. No individual or team is set a target by the force. This is an established policy and is not new."