The number of Shropshire fire, police and ambulance officers who have been suspended from their posts during the past year is 21, it was revealed today.

The officers have been suspended pending further investigations for a variety of alleged offences.

The total number of fire officers suspended by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service from February 2008 to February 2009 is 12.

The number of police officers suspended from the Shropshire divisions of West Mercia Police is three. Two of those suspensions were for alleged criminal offences.

Six personnel were suspended from the Shropshire division of West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Paul Raymond, deputy chief fire officer for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said while 12 employees had been suspended it did not necessarily mean 12 had committed offences.

Reasons

He said workers could be suspended for a variety of rea- sons and were occasionally the victim of malicious complaints, later found to be false.

Mr Raymond said: “Any suspensions are neutral. They neither suggest guilt nor innocence, they are a neutral act. They may come about to protect an individual or the organisation. The fact that an individual is suspended does not mean they have committed an offence.”

Mr Raymond added that it was not possible to comment on individual cases.

Alan Percival, at West Midlands Ambulance Service, said the service was also unable to provide details.

He said: “Following our obligations under the Data Protection Act we are unable to provide you with the reasons for suspensions as we believe this would be identifiable information.”

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman said: “Only where it is really necessary, in order to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations, will an individual be suspended.”

The figures came to light when the Shropshire Star submitted a Freedom of Information inquiry to emergency services.

By Andy Richardson