THE biggest ever inquiry into police actions in the UK is to be launched after the long-awaited and damning report on the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, with officers facing possible criminal charges over their handling of events and their aftermath.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said a large number of serving and former officers will be investigated for their conduct at the match, where 96 Liverpool fans died, and during the alleged ensuing cover-up.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, also said he will look at whether any individual or corporate body should be charged in a move welcomed by victims' families and Liverpool FC.

Deputy chair of the IPCC, Deborah Glass, said: "I think I can confidently say this will be the largest independent inquiry that has been launched into the actions of the police in the United Kingdom."

The report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel, published last month, stated that a shocking cover-up was staged in order to shift blame on to the victims.

It alleged that 164 police statements were altered in the wake of the tragedy, 116 of them to alter negative comments about the policing for the match and the response to the disaster.

Questions have also been raised over possible manslaughter charges.

Ms Glass added: "The potential criminal and misconduct offences disclosed by the panel's report fall into two broad categories.

"They are the allegations that go to the heart of what happened at Hillsborough in April 1989, and individuals and institutions may be culpable for the deaths, and there are allegations about what happened after the disaster, that evidence was fabricated and misinformation was spread in an attempt to shift blame."

The roles of a large number of retired and serving officers will be scrutinised, including Sir Norman Bettison, currently the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, who faces allegations he provided misleading information on events.

He is also under investigation by the IPCC after claims he "attempted to influence the decision-making process of the West Yorkshire Police Authority".

Sir Norman was a South Yorkshire Police inspector who attended the match as a spectator and later took part in an internal inquiry.

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire police said: "He is on record as saying he is keen to co-operate with the IPCC inquiry, but now that has been launched he has nothing further to add."

Claims officers questioned bereaved next of kin about victims' alcohol consumption, carried out alcohol testing and searched police databases for information on victims may also lead to charges.

South Yorkshire Police, who dealt with the tragedy, and West Midlands Police, which investigated how South Yorkshire handled the disaster, will also come under scrutiny.

Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James in the tragedy and is chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: "Obviously they are going to look back at all the serving policemen and I think that's a great thing, because there were so many involved as part of a cover-up.

"Also what we must not forget is West Midlands Police, and that they are going to be investigated as well.

"What did they know about the cover-up?"

The managing director of Liverpool FC, Ian Ayre, said: "This is another significant step forward in the campaign for justice for Hillsborough families and survivors.

"We will follow the progress of this investigation and remain resolute in our support of the families and survivors as they continue with their battle to bring those responsible for the tragedy to justice."

David Blunkett, MP for Hillsborough, said the investigation should not reflect unfairly on all South Yorkshire officers, past and present.