AN INVESTIGATION into three North Yorkshire police officers suspended from duty for 18 months was malicious, and has cost more than £1 million, it was claimed today.

A source with inside knowledge of the probe has also told the Evening Press that the force was aware of the allegations - that the officers mishandled a burglary investigation - as long ago as 1994, but did not act on the information because it was deemed at the time to be "unreliable".

The effect of the investigation on the officers and their families after 18 months is said to be "devastating", and they fear that North Yorkshire police will be pushing for a "result" at any cost to justify the expense - and the reputations of those who initiated the probe.

The officers have since been told they will not be prosecuted, but they remain suspended while internal disciplinary inquiries continue.

Chief Inspector Peter Turnbull, of Malton, who in 25 years service has won numerous commendations and a bravery award, was arrested and suspended in December 1998. Detective Sergeant Jim Hartnett, Sergeant Paul Vigars and Detective Constable Mark Hall were also arrested in connection with the investigation, along with another officer.

Two of these officers and Ch Insp Turnbull remain suspended, while the fourth is understood to have been reinstated, but is now off work sick.

The source said that North Yorkshire police, at executive level, had been aware of the allegation since 1994. But the claim was not acted on then, possibly because the source of information was deemed to be unreliable.

It was then four years before the arrests were made.

"It is small comfort to those presently suspended that the initially-held belief (that the allegations were false) has been proven to be accurate," said the source.

The source said the worry now for the three officers was that much money and high-powered reputations had been invested in an attempt to stand up the "malicious allegations".

"A 'result' at any cost is required to justify this huge waste of taxpayers' money, which amounts to more than £1m," said the source.

"The force is also trying to protect the reputations of the instigators with little consideration for the devastating effect this continues to have on the three honest police officers and their families."

Bob Humpleby, chairman of the North Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, said his group was very concerned about the way the matter has been handled, and the length of time it had taken to come to a resolution.

"The officers are under a great deal of stress now after 18 months of the investigation."

Chief Constable David Kenworthy declined to comment when approached by the Evening Press.