An anonymous hotline to report corrupt and abusive police officers has been launched by the Met in the wake of a series of scandals which have come to lights since the murder of Sarah Everard.

Ms Everard, 33, was kidnapped and murdered by serving diplomatic protection officer Wayne Couzens, from Deal, as she walked home alone.

It later transpired he had been nicknamed 'the rapist' by colleagues in a sick WhatsApp chat group where they shared vile content.

The Metropolitan Police Service Anti-Corruption and Abuse Hotline is believed to be a first of its kind in UK policing, and will collect information about corrupt employees, those committing serious crimes or causing harm to others.

The launch is part of a wider programme led by the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command to "expose those who have undermined the Met’s integrity, letting Londoners down as well as the decent, honest majority of officers and staff in the Met who want to do a good job."

Commander James Harman, head of the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command, said: "There are tens of thousands of people at the Met who work hard to fulfil our duties honestly with integrity. Nothing upsets our good people more than knowing there are officers or staff abusing their powers and letting the public down.

"It is so important that the good majority at the Met can trust their colleagues, and that the public know there are clear systems in place where appalling behaviours will be challenged and addressed robustly.

"We are therefore taking this exceptional step to identify and remove anyone who corrupts our integrity from the Met. We want to reassure the heroic majority within the Met to know that corrupt colleagues will be rooted out, but also for the public to see how seriously we take abuses of power and how determined we are to rebuild trust and confidence in the Met."

Crimestoppers will take calls from the public about police officers or staff employed by the Metropolitan Police regardless of whether the information relates to them whilst they are on or off duty, online or in person.

This includes anyone who trades police information or influence for money or other favours; leverages their police powers for sex or other personal benefits; abuses or controls people close to them; or displays racist, homophobic or misogynistic behaviour.

Calls to the number are free and information can be provided anonymously. Alternatively, people who wish to be kept updated about the information they have provided can opt to leave their details. You can also report online.

Information received by Crimestoppers will be passed to a specialist team in the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command who will assess the information and pass the information to specialist detectives to begin an investigation, take steps to safeguard someone at risk or in danger, or record the information to inform future investigations.

Commander Harman, added: “The public can help us by sharing any information they have. We know that trust in us has been impacted and that is why we have asked the independent charity Crimestoppers to manage the hotline.

“If you have information about a police officer or member of staff who works for the Met and is corrupt, abusing their position and power, please call the hotline on 0800 085 0000 so we can act.”