A CROOKED Plumstead cop who was jailed for theft has been sacked from the police force.

PC Ian Scouler, 46, was caught on camera pocketing £400 of Met cash in a sting operation and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment earlier this month.

Scouler and PC Kenneth Potter - both based in the Disruption Unit at Plumstead Police Station - were found to be stealing after complaints from the public of thefts during raids and street searches.

Potter, 30, resigned from the force in June and pleaded guilty to one count of theft and one count of handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to five months in prison.

Father-of-two Scouler, of Borough Green, Kent, was suspended from duty until the outcome of his trial and was formerly dismissed on Monday.

The Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) Anti Corruption Team launched a covert investigation into the pair’s activities following complaints.

DPS Commander Allan Gibson said: "Where we have intelligence that officers may be breaking the law, we will be proactive and run covert operations to identify corruption.

"Both these men are now out of the police service and sitting in prison having been found guilty of theft.

"The prosecution case was based on evidence gathered by the Directorate of Professional Standards."

"There is no place for criminals in the Met and the Directorate of Professional Standards will put anyone who thinks they are above the law before the courts."

Scouler and Potter were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on November 7.