TWO police officers have been disciplined after a patrol car was used as a "substitute taxi" by colleagues on a night out.

The incident happened after a leaving party for two road traffic sergeants, held at the BAE Systems Canberra Club, Samlesbury.

A police boss has praised the Lancashire Telegraph after our investigations brought the incident to light.

And the disciplinary action has been praised by MPs, who said the incident was "unacceptable."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "This is way outside what these police vehicles should be used for.

"It is an abuse of police resources. Police cars are not a substitute taxi for social events."

Witnesses said that a group of police officers attempted to call a taxi after leaving the party about 10.45pm last Friday.

But after finding no local taxis were available a colleague was called and an unmarked police vehicle, driven by a uniformed policeman picked them up, the witnesses said. It arrived around 11.30pm.

Police said the car took the three party-goers to an address in Blackburn.

The two who have been disciplined under the police code of conduct, are the officer who made the call for a car and the officer who authorised the car being sent out. Police have declined to name them.

Chief Supt David Mallaby, commander for Eastern Division, said: "We are grateful to the Lancashire Telegraph for bringing this matter to our attention.

"A full investigation has taken place and I am very disappointed about the conduct of two members of staff.

"A police sergeant has been moved from his specialist role and disciplined.

"A police staff member is also going through the disciplinary process.

"Both members of staff have been very apologetic and accept they were in the wrong, however, this behaviour is entirely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We take any allegations about improper conduct or behaviour of our staff extremely seriously and will ensure any allegations are robustly investigated."

The move to use an on-duty officer and vehicle to transport off-duty colleagues was seen as an unofficial perk by some officers up to the early 1990s but has since disappeared from force culture. One retired senior East Lancashire police officer said: "This sort of thing used to go on 20-25 years ago and senior officers would have turned a blind eye. But times have changed and the police are far more accountable."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I would like to endorse Chief Supt Mallaby's comments.

"This incident is not acceptable. But we should also keep a sense of proportion.

"A mistake has been made and the police force has acted entirely properly by investigating and taking swift action."

Malcolm Doherty, chair of Lancashire Police Authority, said Chief Supt Mallaby should be commended for dealing with the issue quickly and effectively.

"The message goes out to all officers that this sort of behaviour is not acceptable. The action that has been taken shows how seriously the incident is being taken."

Steve Edwards, chair of the Lancashire branch of the Police Federation said: "Police officers are out there to serve the public but if any disciplinary issues involve our members we will support them."

The party was held by Accrington road policing unit for Sgt Stuart Isherwood and Sgt Keith Jackson, who are leaving the force.

The party provoked a row earlier this week after it was revealed all the traffic police in Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley were off duty on Friday night to attend it.

The nearest specialist traffic officers, who investigate causes of crashes, had to come from Colne.

There were two serious crashes in the area, including one fatality, early on Saturday.