Two male Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers have been sacked for taking videos and photos of 18 vulnerable people they had been sent to help.

In one video, a woman with learning difficulties was filmed in bed and asked about her sex life.

The two officers, identified as Officers A and B, had been tasked to her house in 2021 after a report of concern for her safety.

Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin said their behaviour had been "utterly despicable".

Some of the videos and pictures taken by the officers were shared on WhatsApp, including with a member of the public, and contained "sexualised, derogatory and demeaning commentary".

Their actions came to light during an investigation into Officer A, who was accused of having a relationship with a woman he met during the course of his duties.

His home and workplace were searched and electronic devices were seized for examination.

Some were filmed in people's homes, others in hospitals and in police vehicles.

They spanned a period between 2016 and 2021.

They show the poor state of his living conditions and included the officer making mocking comments about his sex life.

Two other videos were recorded of women who had been involved in a neighbour dispute, one of whom was intoxicated.

Officer B took photos of two vulnerable women, which he shared with Officer A, along with messages which referred to the women in derogatory terms.

Durkin said: "Almost all of the people affected by these actions were vulnerable, some extremely so.

"These now former officers showed no respect for people's privacy or dignity at their time of need and seriously undermined their trust and confidence in policing.

"One also shared a series of messages with a member of the public, showing scant regard for the confidentiality of police enquiries.

"They were unworthy of the role of police officer and it is only right that they have been dismissed from the PSNI."

The ombudsman submitted files to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in relation to the images, videos and messages found on Officer A's phones.

The files concerned potential misconduct in public office by Officer A and potential data protection offences by both Officer A and Officer B.

The PPS directed that neither should be prosecuted.

However, it noted that offences under the Communications Act would have been relevant if they had not already been statute barred before the ombudsman discovered the material.

In a statement, the PPS said that the decision not to prosecute was made on the basis "there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction".

It said that proceedings for data protection offences were "already statute barred" due to how much time had elapsed between the alleged offences and the PPS receiving the files.

The PPS said that while prosecutions were not pursued, this "does not diminish the gravity of the professional misconduct identified".

"We would encourage anyone who has experienced criminal or professional misconduct to report their concerns," it added.

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton described the officers' conduct as "horrifying".

He added: "The behaviour described by the ombudsman falls far below the standards the public is entitled to expect from police officers.

"It represented a serious breach of trust, particularly affecting people who were entitled to care, compassion and professional support at times of acute vulnerability."

Singleton said all cases of misconduct are taken "extremely seriously" and this was reflected "in the dismissals of two officers".

"We are sorry that individuals who sought the assistance of police were let down in this way," he added

Policing Board vice-chair Mukesh Sharma described the officers' conduct as "shameful and disgusting".

He added: "These officers showed a callous disregard to people at their most vulnerable and breached the trust placed in them from those seeking help.

"Their actions are the antithesis of the professionalism that we rightly expect from police officers serving the community."

One other officer, known as Officer C, was given a final written warning.

A fourth officer, Officer D, faced no action - they had been present when Officer A had recorded a video but stated they had been unaware of the recording.

The justice minister said she was "deeply saddened at the behaviours outlined" in the report.

Naomi Long condemned the actions of the officers, describing it as "abhorrent, wholly unacceptable and completely indefensible".

"There is no place in our police service for officers who behave in this way."

Long also said it "does not represent the bravery, decency and compassion that the majority of police officers display in their jobs".