Essex: Awards for outstanding police work

OUTSTANDING work by Essex police officers has been recognised at an prestigious awards ceremony.

An investigation into the murder of a man in Jaywick and the disruption of an organised crime group in Chelmsford were just a few examples from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate (SCD) highlighted at the ceremony at Essex Police College last week.

More than 60 certificates of merit were awarded to police officers and staff in recognition of their contribution in bringing to justice those criminals who cause communities the greatest harm.

Those who received awards included DCI Anne Cameron from Colchester’s major crime team.

She was handed a Detective Chief Superintendent’s Certificate of Merit for her role as deputy senior investigating officer on the investigation in to the murder of Anthony Prickett in Jaywick two years ago.

The 42-year-old roofer was shot dead in Park Road on May 19, 2011.

After being tracked nearly 500 miles across England and Scotland, Darren Jewell was captured eight miles south of Edinburgh, arrested and charged with murder.

Jewell was found guilty of murder in January 2012 and sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 26 years.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: “The awards are evidence of the fantastic levels of professionalism and effort that go into investigations to take people who commit the most serious and horrendous offences off our streets.

“This is true not just of the investigators themselves but also of the police staff who support them.”