PEOPLE arrested in connection with allegations of corruption at a police force have had their bail extended again.

The nine, including former Cleveland Police chief constable Sean Price and former chairman of Cleveland Police Authority Dave McLuckie, had been due to answer bail this month, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) asked for a further extension until March.

The decision has been delayed to enable the CPS to examine case files regarding potential criminal charges.

Seven men and two women have been arrested during Operation Sacristy, led by Keith Bristow, director general of the National Crime Agency, into allegations of misconduct by individuals associated with the former Cleveland Police Authority.

A spokeswoman for Warwickshire Police, which is overseeing the investigation, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has asked for bail to be extended until Thursday March 6 or Friday March 7 while they consider the evidence submitted by Operation Sacristy.”

The investigation began in the spring of 2011. In August that year, dawn raids were carried out at the homes of leading members of the police force, including then chief constable Sean Price.

Mr Price was dismissed from the force in October 2012 for gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing into issues not connected to Sacristy.

His then deputy, Derek Bonnard, was also arrested in connection with the corruption allegations, but he has since been released from police bail without charge.

He was sacked for grossmisconduct in March last year.