Senior officers with Lancashire Police have said they are pleased with the outcome of a sentencing hearing in which a former sergeant was jailed for a string of serious organised crime offences.

Speaking after Salim Razaq (pictured) was sent to prison for 11-and-a-half years, ACC Andy Cooke told reporters that the tariff “reflected the gravity” of the offences.

He added: “I would like to reaffirm both our commitment to tackling serious and organised crime and taking robust action against any officers or staff who fail to maintain the highest standards of professional behaviour and integrity.”

Razaq (33), of Chorley Road, Walton le Dale, had been based at Nelson as a member of the Penine Division when his home was searched by colleagues in March this year. Weapons, cash and ammunition were found, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

The ex-officer, who was quickly dismissed from the police at a special case hearing, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office, perverting the course of justice, possession of firearms and ammunition and money laundering.

Razaq was acquitted on the direction of a judge following a trial on a charge of deception relating to a mortgage application. He was handed an eight-year prison sentence for the firearms offences and three-and-a-half years for the others.

His mother Gulshan Razaq (58) of Chester Road, Preston, and 25-year-old brother Hafiz Razaq, currently in Manchester prison, have both admitted perverting the course of justice. Hafiz Razaq also admitted money laundering.

Hafiz Razaq was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars to run consecutively with a sentence he is already serving for a conspiracy to a kidnap offence. His mother received 44-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Jason Lawrenson (26) of HMP Preston and 25-year-old Daniel Cookson of Yewtree Avenue, Ribbleton, who had admitted money laundering, and Louis Bamber (22) of HMP Liverpool, who pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, were also sentenced.

Lawrenson was jailed for two years and eight months, Cookson for 16 months and Bamber for 18 months.

Earlier ACC Cooke said that Salim Razaq was “nothing short of a criminal in uniform”.

He added: “I am appalled by the fact that a police officer was involved at the level he was in criminality. However, I am extremely proud of the Lancashire officers who put this case together, the quality of which is reflected in the guilty pleas.”