Get off their case: West Midlands Police chief backs 'sozzled' officer on Magaluf beat

Sgt Brett Williams and Pc Martina Anderson are working alongside officers from the Guardia Civil.

But Pc Anderson, 44, hit national headlines this week when she posted on Facebook that she was 'sozzled' and 'If you can't beat them, join them . . .'.

The messages have since been deleted. She also added a picture of the sunset from the four-star hotel where they were staying.

Earlier this week, both officers were on patrol in the resort but were also seen laying their towels on sun beds at their four-star adults-only spa hotel and taking a dip in the sea. They were also spotted posing for selfies.

They are spending a week in Majorca to be followed by seven days in San Antonio, Ibiza. The officers have been out in full British uniform working eight-hour shifts between 7am and 10pm, but bar staff said the officers had come too late in the holiday season and needed to work late at night to have any effect.

West Midlands Police today defended the pair, saying they were getting unfair levels of 'personal attention' in the media.

Deputy Chief Constable David Thompson said: "They have been performing a variety of roles, including assisting Spanish officers with investigations with UK nationals involved as well as taking part in patrols - all of which has been a policing success.

"Both have extensive knowledge of the island and excellent Spanish language skills. Whilst deployed they are working long rota hours and of course, a limited amount of off-duty time, with any activity they choose to undertake funded entirely by themselves.

"This is a unique policing opportunity and whilst members of the media may want to criticise West Midlands Police for deploying staff, I would question the level of scrutiny and personal attention paid to these officers whilst carrying out their duties and during their very limited off duty time."