Two police officers have been charged with misconduct following allegations they took and shared photographs of a murder scene.

PCs Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis, aged 47 and 32 respectively, will each appear before Westminster magistrates next month accused of one count each of misconduct in public office.

It relates to the investigation into the killing of sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, whose parents are from Ramsgate, in Wembley last summer.

The women, aged 46 and 27, were both found with stab wounds in the early hours of the morning on June 6, after visiting Fryent Country Park to celebrate Bibaa's birthday.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the constables' charges following a review of a file of evidence from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Commander Paul Betts said: "These are extremely serious charges.

"Throughout the IOPC investigation we have remained resolute in our efforts to provide every support to their enquiries.

"We know the public will share our outrage, but I would ask that space is now given to allow the judicial process to run its proper course."

“Our thoughts go out to the families of Bibaa and Nicole, as we recognise the renewed grief and pain this development will bring.

"We know the public will share our outrage, but I would ask that space is now given to allow the judicial process to run its proper course.

"It is not appropriate for us to initiate any internal investigations against the officers at this stage as this could impact on that process.”

The Directorate of Professional Standards was informed on June 17 of allegations that non-official and inappropriate photographs had been taken by police at the crime scene.

Following their arrest, the officers, of Forest Gate Police Station in Newham, were suspended from duty.

Police insist that as soon as the matter came to light, they took action to remind officers of their responsibilities while using WhatsApp and other social media channels.

The officers will have their first hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 27.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Danyal Hussein was charged the day after the bodies were discovered with the murder of the sisters and possession of an offensive weapon.

The man, from Blackheath, appeared last month at the Old Bailey, where he pleaded not guilty to all three counts.

He faces trial later this year.

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