Assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur ordered an inquiry after newspapers alleged the model used illegal drugs.

It has not been confirmed whether police will interview 31-year-old Moss, who has refused to comment on the claims.

The move comes after fashion chain H&M said it was dropping the model as the face of an advertising campaign because of the allegations.

The chain said continuing to use Moss would be "inconsistent with H&M's clear dissociation of drugs". Moss has current deals with Chanel, Burberry and Dior.

The model found herself at the centre of a series of stories about her lifestyle after the Daily Mirror published photographs allegedly showing her taking cocaine.