A DETECTIVE arrested on suspicion of downloading indecent images of children from the internet will not be charged with any offence, police said last night .

A DETECTIVE arrested on suspicion of downloading indecent images of children from the internet will not be charged with any offence, police said last night .

Detective Constable Chris Lacey, who works for Essex Police and was based in Colchester, was arrested in October last year as part of an international investigation into users of child pornography web-sites, code named Operation Ore.

Essex Police said the Crown Prosecution Service had decided that there was insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution against Det-con Lacey.

"An Essex Police officer arrested on September 26, 2002 in connection with Operation Ore ... will not face criminal charges," said a spokesman.

"Following a rigorous investigation by Essex Police in conjunction with the National Crime Squad a report was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service who decided that the evidence available was insufficient to result in a conviction at court.'

The spokesman said the officer who was suspended following his arrest was currently working on restricted duties.

He said an internal police disciplinary investigation was being carried out.

Det-con Lacey, who worked on the investigation into the murder of 15-year-old Danielle Jones, was unavailable for comment last night .

Danielle disappeared from her home in East Tilbury, Esssex, in June 2001. Her body has never been found.

Her uncle Stuart Campbell was convicted of her murder following a trial last year.