A SENIOR Bolton police officer has been suspended from duty after being arrested on suspicion of a serious crime.

Inspector Mohammed Razaq, who is in charge of the Bolton West neighbourhood policing team, was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and misconduct in a public office.

The 51-year-old, who is better known as Mo, has been released on bail and suspended from his job, pending an investigation.

Another man, aged 52, has also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice as part of the investigation.

The second man arrested, who has also been released on bail, is not a police officer.

The investigation is now being handled by Greater Manchester Police’s professional standards branch.

Insp Razaq’s Bolton West team, which he has led for four years, covers Horwich, Blackrod and Westhoughton as well as Heaton and Lostock, Smithills and Over Hulton.

He is a regular at local area forum meetings and a well-respected figure in the community.

He has more than 30 years’ policing experience, including in CID, tactical aid, GMP’s firearms unit and various community cohesion projects.

During the 1980s, he helped to police the Toxteth riots, and was part of the team which escorted the moors murderer Myra Hindley back to the Saddleworth moors to identify the location of victims’ bodies.

The Bolton News understands that Insp Razaq was close to retirement before the alleged incident came to light.

People who know Insp Razaq said they were shocked by his arrest.

One said: “He’s been a good inspector. It’s a bit of a shock. I would be very surprised if he had done anything untoward.”

Another said: “He has always been a good community policeman and he has put a lot back into the community.”

Insp Razaq’s colleagues have been briefed about his arrest but have not been told details about the investigation.

A police spokesman said: “Two men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

“One of them, a 51-year-old man and a serving officer from Bolton, was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

“He and a 52-year-old man have been bailed pending further inquiries.

“Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

Insp Razaq was unavailable for comment.