NO charges will be brought against Enfield police officers under investigation over claims of abusing suspects and stealing their property, it has been announced.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) today said there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges against any of the detectives from Enfield Crime Squad.

Case files on 15 officers were submitted by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards, including allegations of systematic misuse of property.

Part of the investigation centred on a drugs bust in November 2008, when two suspects alleged they were beaten and one claimed an officer tried to hold his head under water.

But Simon Clements, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “Both men provided statements to the IPCC but their accounts substantially contradicted each other and their identification of the officers allegedly involved was clearly wrong.

“Their claims were further undermined by the lack of medical evidence to support claims of repeated assault. In the absence of reliable, corroborative evidence there is no realistic prospect of a conviction against any officer.

“Put simply, events could not have happened as the two men described them.”

Other allegations included claims officers used excessive force to stop a stolen car being driven by an uninsured driver, but the driver refused to co-operate with the probe and no charges will be brought.

The allegations stem from an investigation launched by the Met into claims of mishandling of stolen property at Edmonton Police Station.

This probe threw up other allegations, and despite no charges being brought, the officers under suspicion may still face internal disciplinary proceedings and could even be sacked.

Mr Clements said, referring to the handling of stolen property, that senior officers condoned what took place and it was done openly, therefore it would not be possible to prove anyone had acted dishonestly.

He added: "It is clear that internal police procedures were flouted and breached on a regular basis. But we cannot prosecute members of a squad unless we can show to the criminal standard that they acted dishonestly.”

Eight officers remain suspended and another two continue to be on restricted duty, as the Met considers the case in light of the CPS decision.

In a statement, it said lessons had been learnt from the case, and added: “The Metropolitan Police Service does not tolerate conduct that falls below the standards the public and the many outstanding officers and staff expect and any allegations of behaviour that is contrary to the police regulations are treated very seriously.

“It is only right such allegations are investigated by the CPS or the IPCC when appropriate, such as in this case.”