Praise for military police tour

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Bliss presenting the medals

One of Essex's most senior police officers has praised military police for their work in Afghanistan.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Bliss said the soldiers' work had also improved security in the UK.

Fifty soldiers from 156 Provost Company Royal Military Police (RMP) received their Operational Service Medals after returning from a six-month tour.

The Colchester Garrison soldiers were commended for fighting terrorism and the drug trade during the tour.

When not on tour, the soldiers share a police station with officers from Essex Police.

Deputy Chief Constable Bliss presented the medals alongside Colonel Ian Prosser, the Deputy Provost Marshall.

'Massively poignant'

Addressing the troops at the ceremony, Deputy Chief Constable Bliss said the work the soldiers had been doing in Afghanistan had helped the UK fight against the drug trade.

He said the work they carried out was "massively poignant for me as a UK cop because what you've been doing is impacting directly on the UK in terms of terrorism and the drug trade".

He added: "I say a massive thank you to you."

The RMP soldiers had a number of roles in Afghanistan including supporting infantry on operations and mentoring the Afghan Police.

They were also responsible for collecting evidence at the scenes of British fatalities.