POLICE have slammed the ‘inconsiderate and unsatisfactory’ behaviour of an officer who parked his patrol car in a disabled bay.

Bosses said his conduct ‘fell below the high standards we set’ after the incident in Darwen town centre.

They have have pledged to ‘deal with the matter’. It is likely the officer, who has not been named, will face informal words of censure rather than formal disciplinary action.

The marked Vauxhall Astra police car was spotted parked half in a disabled bay and half on the pavement opposite the Co-operative shop in Railway Road on Wednesday.

The officer spent about 20 minutes in the shop, according to eye witnesses.

Michael Firth, 61, of Cross Barn, Darwen, was shopping in the town and took photographs.

Mr Firth, who had a leg amputated, said: “It’s a shabby do.

“It’s inconsiderate, thoughtless and ignorant.

“As I was taking the photos there was a couple of old dears in wheelchairs and with walking frames struggling to get passed where it was parked.

“I wouldn’t mind if there was a real emergency going on, but there wasn’t.

“Nobody else would be allowed to park in that way, so it is not fair the police think they can.”

Helen Smith from Mobilise, an organisation representing disabled drivers, said: “Of course the police can park in disabled bays if it is absolutely essential, but if they are just being lazy then it is disgraceful behaviour.

“We advise people to stay out of diasbled bays completely if they are not a blue badge holder.”

Inspector Andrea Bradbury of Darwen police, said: "Sadly the action of individual members of staff can, on occasion, undermine the significant hard work and achievements of other colleagues.

“Therefore his inconsiderate and unsatisfactory behaviour will not be treated lightly. "

A police spokesperson added: “The officer was dealing with an inquiry.

“However Lancashire Constabulary cannot condone these actions as he was not responding to an emergency incident, which may on certain occasions justify breaking parking regulations.

“His conduct falls below the very high standards we set and expect from all our staff and therefore the matter will be dealt with.”