Hungry police officers parked their car on double yellow lines - so they could grab a burger while on duty.

The four cops were spotted by a passer-by in Western Road, Hove, as they queued at Grubbs burger bar.

But the meal earned them a grilling from their senior officer.

Senior officers have no beef with illegal parking - as long as it is part of police work.

Queuing for fast food does not qualify under police guidelines.

City commander Chief Superintendent Paul Pearce said: "I expect police officers to set an example in the way they drive and park.

"It is only acceptable for police officers to break traffic regulations for operational reasons, when there is a legal exemption.

"Buying burgers clearly does not fit this criteria so the officers in this case should have parked legally."

The officers in question were not part of the Brighton and Hove division.

Ch Supt Pearce said: "They have been identified and are not based in the city.

"They have received suitably strong advice from a senior officer."

Onlooker Nick Roberts sent these pictures to The Argus after he and a friend saw the patrol car parked outside the shop.

At first they thought burglars, not burgers, had prompted the visit from Her Majesty's Constabulary.

Mr Roberts said: "We were expecting to see maybe some sort of scuffle, maybe even a hold up.

"I was just a little confused by the 'Do as I say, don't do as I do' mentality.

"How are we supposed to respect the boys in blue when they flagrantly abuse their higher position in the food chain?"

On April 26 we printed a photo taken by an anonymous correspondent of two police cars parked on double yellow lines outside a cafe in Queen's Road.

And on May 31 we published another picture of a patrol car illegally parked while officers ate at Terminal Two Restaurant and Bar at Shoreham Airport.

Police said they were holding an internal investigation into that incident.

* Got a photo for The Argus? Call the newsdesk on 01273 544516, email news@theargus.co.uk or text mobile phone images to 07834 487010 with the keyword SUPIC and your comments.