Two former South Yorkshire Police officers arrested on suspicion of historical child exploitation and abuse have had their bail lifted, GB News can reveal.

The two are among three former officers who were arrested late last year and earlier this year over allegations of abuse in Rotherham.

This broadcaster has had exclusive sight of a letter passed from a senior South Yorkshire Police officer to one of the complainants, which said: "I have made the decision to release the suspect without charge due to insufficient evidence."

But despite the bail being lifted and no charges due to "insufficient evidence," the investigation into all three officers, which is being directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, remains active.

Two former South Yorkshire Police officers arrested on suspicion of historical child exploitation and abuse have had their bail lifted, GB News can reveal (stock image)

An IOPC spokesperson said: "Our criminal investigation remains ongoing into complaints from survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation in Rotherham regarding the conduct of South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officers.

"One former officer remains on bail, two former SYP officers have had their bail lifted recently."

The watchdog added: "At the end of our IOPC-directed investigation we will decide whether or not to refer a file of evidence for any officers to the Crown Prosecution Service, for it to consider potential criminal charges.

"We will also make decisions on whether any former officers would have had a disciplinary case to answer – had they still been serving - for potential misconduct or gross misconduct. The parties involved, including the complainants in this case, are being provided with regular updates on our investigation."

The IOPC had earlier said that the allegations came to their attention after the watchdog was notified by South Yorkshire Police in October.

Further complaints were then referred to the IOPC by a second woman in November, which was followed by complaints from two separate women in December, all of which were referred to the IOPC by South Yorkshire Police.

It is alleged that the two officers arrested in December conducted abuse in Rotherham between 1995 and 2002 when they were both on and off duty.

The third former officer was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of raping a teenage girl in Rotherham in 2004.

GB News understands that he is one of the officers who has had his bail lifted this week.