Police have issued an update confirming that an image shared on social media showing a half-naked man apparently wearing just parts of a police uniform is not a serving officer.

On Monday this week Devon and Cornwall Police issued a statement in response to "an image currently being shared on social media."

In the statement a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We are aware of an image currently circulating on social media that appears to show a partially clothed male in police equipment, that is being used as a profile on a dating app.

"We are working with the Force Professional Standards Department and enquiries continue to establish if this individual is a serving police officer."

The force became involved after it was tagged in the image on Twitter, with the person writing "Hey @DC_Police. One of your lot? I decided against swiping right."

The image, understood to have been shared on dating app Tinder, states to be from a man called Liam, aged 34.

In the image a man appears to be wearing only a police vest and holding a police hat to cover his groin area, with a police baton in his other hand.

He does not state in the image that he is a serving police officer.

Now Devon and Cornwall Police have shared a statement from Merseyside Police, following work undertaken between both forces' professional standards departments.

A Merseyside police spokesperson said: “We are aware of an image circulating on social media showing a partially clothed man with police equipment.

“The image was reported to the Professional Standards Department at Merseyside Police in May 2020 when it appeared on social media after it had been shared on a dating app.

“Following an investigation it was established that the man pictured was not – and has never been – a police officer or a member of police staff.

“The man was wearing police equipment belonging to a serving Merseyside Police officer in the photograph.

“The officer was not present at the time the photograph was taken or aware it was being taken.

“He was given advice by our Professional Standards Department and the man who posted the image on a dating app later removed it on the officer’s request.

"Our dedicated Professional Standards Department thoroughly investigate any allegations of misconduct by anyone employed by the force.

“It is essential that police officers and staff act with respect, professionalism and integrity at all times and that as a force we take swift and robust action to investigate anyone whose behaviour falls short of those high standards.”