Three Sussex Police officers are being investigated for alleged racist behaviour.

Members of the public have put in complaints against the officers over three separate and unconnected incidents.

The incidents are said to have taken place while the officers were on duty, with people claiming they were discriminated against by police because of their race.

A force spokesman said they related to “operational incidents”.

He could not elaborate on whether the incidents are alleged to have happened while officers were arresting people.

A fourth officer is being investigated for homophobic behaviour.

And a fifth officer is being investigated for religious/faith discrimination.

This allegation is the only one that is being considered outside of Sussex Police’s remit.

While the first four allegations are being investigated internally by officers from the force’s professional standards unit, the religious discrimination allegation is being examined by the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

This is because the complainant has appealed against the outcome of Sussex Police’s internal investigation into the incident.

A force spokesman said: “The one that is currently with the IPCC is standard procedure when a complainant appeals against the outcome of a complaint investigation.

“The IPCC then look at the investigation to see if they agree with the outcome.

“We take all allegations of discriminatory behaviour very seriously and will thoroughly investigate all such allegations.”