OFFICERS working for the Ministry of Defence are under investigation for misconduct for failing to complete their full patrols of the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Burghfield.

The MoD said “disciplinary action was immediately initiated” after a number of officers were alleged to have failed to meet the required standard when patrolling the site, where Trident nuclear warheads are built.

An investigation is ongoing, and the MoD has reported the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

A spokesman for the MoD, said: “It would be inappropriate to comment further while the case is ongoing, however, we can be clear that at no point was the security of the site or its nuclear assets compromised.”

The spokesman added that seven of the officers have resigned without facing disciplinary charges, and that, where appropriate, officers have been removed from the site to other duties pending the conclusion of the “mandatory police misconduct investigation.”

The MoD said the allegations relate to only a “small percentage of the overall patrolling requirement at the site.”

But added: “Any failure, however small, in matters relating to nuclear security is taken very seriously.”

The Daily Mirror reported that as many as 50 officers are involved in the investigation and that there were claims that some of the officers were sleeping on the job.

This has been denied by the MoD.

The spokesman added: “Security at the AWE sites is kept under constant review. Ministry of Defence Police will work with AWE to ensure that any improvements needed as a result of this investigation are implemented.”