Police driver filmed 'texting' behind van wheel Published duration 1 December 2015

media caption The video was sent to BBC Radio Sheffield by a listener

The driver of a police van caught apparently texting behind the wheel has been confirmed to be a police officer.

In the video, filmed by car passenger Paul Bent and sent to the BBC, the other man can be seen holding a phone in one hand while driving.

Mr Bent said he was "outraged" when he spotted the Nottinghamshire Police van in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Monday.

The force said the driver was a police officer and was being investigated.

'Totally oblivious'

Mr Bent said he captured the mobile phone footage in Centenary Way.

"He wasn't trying to be discreet," he said.

"He didn't seem to even be looking up from his phone. He was just totally oblivious that we were at the side of him filming him."

Paul Murphy, for Nottinghamshire Police, said action was "taken swiftly".

"In advance of a formal interview, appropriate action will be taken to refer the officer to our driver training team for reassessment to drive police vehicles.

"Nottinghamshire Police officers and staff are not above the law."