A police officer has admitted stealing drugs from his Holborn Police station - the third cop from the same station to own up to similar charges in less than a year.

Constable Paul Smith, from Finchley, was arrested in January on suspicion of stealing seized cannabis from the police evidence room - he admitted eight counts of theft and two of possession of cannabis at Southwark Crown Court last week.

Third officer caught

Pleading guilty to 10 charges, Smith, 33, resigned a month after bosses challenged him over the thefts.

In July two cops were handed suspended prison sentences and community service orders after admitting stealing confiscated DVD's. PCs Neil Cranwell and Alastair worked at Holborn's Borough Support Unit and have now left the force.

Smith will be sentenced next month.