Spanish police have apologised after sharing an AI-generated photo to accompany a report on arrests made over the weekend in Benalmadena.

The image, which purported to show two suspects being escorted by police, was actually a fabrication created using artificial intelligence software.

It wasn’t until the following day that the local force admitted the photo was not real, but rather a reconstruction made by their own communications team.

In a statement, the police explained they had used an AI tool to create a scene depicting ‘two police officers from behind accompanying two detainees in a picturesque place’.

The aim, they claimed, was to protect the anonymity and image rights of those involved.

However, they acknowledged the photo should have included a clear warning that it was a recreation, not a genuine arrest photo.

The police said the information about the arrests was ‘strictly true’ and the events reported had actually occurred.

But the use of the fake photo has sparked criticism, with concerns it could lead to false assumptions about the suspects, who are from Malaga.

While the force had initially celebrated the arrests as ‘excellent news for the security of the municipality’, the photo blunder has left them red-faced.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.