POLICE officers will not face criminal charges over an allegation they assaulted the son of a former mayor during the Burnley riots.

Lancashire Police today confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service had cleared the officers of any criminal wrong-doing relating to a complaint made by Shahid Malik.

Mr Malik, a member of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee and a former representative of the Commission for Racial Equality, made a formal complaint to the police after an incident during the riots.

He was treated in hospital for a cut to the head after the incident, after police tried to deal with a gathering of youths in Daneshouse.

Mr Malik, the son of former Mayor of Burnley Rafique Malik, was arrested by police after the incident, but was himself cleared of any wrong-doing in September, 2001.

Police started their investigation into Mr Malik's claims after he was exonerated and he made a formal complaint in August, 2001.

The police investigation was completed in July, 2002 and a file sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "We can confirm that we have received notification from the CPS that there will be no further action taken against any officers arising from Mr Malik's complaint of assault."

The officers have been informed of the decision verbally and a letter giving formal notification has been sent to them.

Lancashire Constabulary has confirmed the investigation centred on four serving police officers, but "many" others were part of the investigation.

The Police Complaints Authority is still to reach a judgment on whether the officers involved should face any internal disciplinary action.

The police spokesman added: "Mr Malik made allegations against police officers but they could not be investigated until the complaint against him was resolved. We could only begin our investigation, which was done under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority, after that. It was completed in July 2002.

"The report from the investigation was sent to the Police Complaints Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service. We haven't yet had word back from the Police Complaints Authority as to what action, if any, should be taken."

Mr Malik said he was extremely disappointed by the news. He added: "I now hope that the Police Complaints Authority will take disciplinary action against the officers.

"We have protested throughout that we were concerned about the impartiality of the investigation.

"The Crown Prosecution Service is saying that there is insufficient evidence and they cannot prove exactly when and how my injuries were sustained.

"Without being able to say how or who did it there is no reasonable chance of a prosecution. There are officers who know how it happened and I think it sad none have come forward. "

Responding to Mr Malik's comments, the Lancashire Constabulary spokesman added: "The investigation was carried out by a Lancashire Constabulary superintendent supervised by the Police Complaints Authority and that is how the system works."

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said he was unable to comment on the matter.