A senior West Midlands Police officer been suspended after being summonsed for an offence under the Official Secrets Act.

Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale faces allegations relating to a failure to safeguard sensitive documents.

ACC Beale is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court at 10am on 7th December.

The summons relates to a Metropolitan Police investigation into the alleged failure to safeguard sensitive documents after items were stolen from an unmarked car in May.

A number of personal belongings were taken during the theft, along with a locked box containing documents relating to police matters.

The theft from the vehicle is being investigated locally.