Two investigations are under way after footage captured by a member of the public appeared to show a police officer using his phone while behind the wheel.

The footage, recorded by Rizwan Desai, seems to show an officer from West Yorkshire Police talking on his mobile phone while waiting at traffic lights in Bradford city centre.

The incident happened on Thursday, March 15, in Hall Ings, opposite the Bradford Hotel.

While the police van waited at a red traffic light, the officer gave a thumbs up to Mr Desai and his friends in the car before seemingly putting his mobile phone to his ear. As the lights turned to green, the officer seemingly ended the call before setting off and turning left onto Bridge Street.

It was also claimed that the police officer was not wearing his seatbelt as he drove along Hall Ings.

Mr Desai, who was travelling as a passenger along with his cousin Abdur Desai in a vehicle driving alongside the police van, described the officer’s actions as “disgraceful and hypocritical”.

He said: “We were coming down Hall Ings from the roundabout when we saw him. We went to Trafalgar House to report it and gave a statement. He has a duty as a police officer to inform the public on the danger of driving on the phone, and the law changed recently.

“Knowing that, seeing a police officer on duty on the phone was shocking. They should follow the rules, how can they tell us not to use our phones when they are using them themselves?”

Superintendent Daniel Greenwood, of Bradford District Police, said: “A complaint has been received in relation to a police officer appearing to use his mobile phone while driving a vehicle in Bradford on Thursday, 15 March.

“It was also reported that the officer was not wearing a seatbelt.

“The officer has been identified and the matter has been referred to West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Department for further investigation. An investigation is also ongoing in relation to possible road traffic offences and these will be dealt with as if they were committed by a member of the public.

“We demand the highest standards of our officers and staff and, where these standards are not upheld, we will investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action.”

Brake, the road safety charity, said that the police should be “setting an example” for good driving behaviour.

A spokesperson said: “It is highly dangerous to use a mobile phone behind the wheel and those who do so are selfishly putting lives at risk.

“We expect the police to be setting an example of good driving behaviour on our roads, not flouting the law, and it is right that this case is being investigated. Tough penalties and strict enforcement are needed to change the perception that phone use behind the wheel is ok.”

The Crown Prosecution Service website states that, under existing case law, a person may still be driving whilst the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary. This means that an individual stopped at a traffic light could be prosecuted for a mobile phone offence.