A POLICE officer has been forced to resign after making monkey noises to a black suspect.

PC Wayne Bell, 32, was ordered to resign for three breaches of the Police Code of Conduct by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on October 25.

Mr Bell, of Cross Lane West, Gravesend, was found to have breached the code on politeness and tolerance for making monkey gestures and noises to suspect Anthony Housden.

He had already been cleared of a racially-aggravated public order offence by magistrates.

Mr Housden, of Iris Crescent, Bexleyheath, was taken to Plumstead police station on July 1.

He had been arrested on suspicion of assault and affray at Abbey Wood station.

A second officer was also required to resign for failing to oppose the behaviour and failing to report it.

IPCC commissioner Mehmuda Mian Pritchard said: "There is no place for racist behaviour in the police.

"The two officers have brought disgrace upon themselves and done a great disservice to policing in south east London."