Brighton and Hove police officers recognised for outstanding work

Dozens of Brighton and Hove police officers and support staff have been recognised for going above and beyond the call of duty.

They were honoured at a Sussex Police divisional awards ceremony at the Sussex County Cricket Ground in Hove where Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp shared their stories.

Chief Superintendent Kemp, the Brighton and Hove divisional commander, praised 16 detectives and uniformed officers who helped lock up a paedophile and sexual predator.

Among those given outstanding investigator awards were Detective Sergeant Linda Bond and the officer in charge of the case Detective Constable Amelia Neel.

The investigation followed the arrest of Brighton binman Stephen Marsh for domestic abuse.

Chief Superintendent Kemp said: “Intelligence was obtained relating to historic physical and sexual abuse of children.

“Detective Constable Neel developed this intelligence with Detective Sergeant Bond in the Child Protection Team at Brighton.

Mayor Denise Cobb, Chief Constable Martin Richards and Divisional Commander Nev Kemp with some of those recognised for outstanding service

“It was established that there were numerous concerns regarding possession of firearms, indecent images, domestic abuse and sexual grooming and abuse of children.

“Search warrants were executed at 20 Firle Road, Brighton, in August 2010 by officers from the Brighton and Hove Division, the Underwater Search Team and the Tactical Firearms Unit.

“The search of the premises was extensive and difficult due to the poor state of the property, the secured safes and the known risk of dangerous reptiles potentially loose at the address.

“The search took two days during which over 200 exhibits were recovered, including illegal firearms, indecent images of live victims and evidence of sexual abuse.”

They found ten victims sexually abused by Marsh. He was tried over eight weeks for 35 offences at Lewes Crown Court in October 2011. The offences included having firearms, rapes, sexual assaults, having indecent images and extreme pornography and voyeurism.

Just before Christmas 2011 he was jailed for nine years.

Other awards were for trying to save lives and protect people from violence, bringing a gang of drug dealers to justice and handling people with sensitivity over sustained periods of time.

Chief Superintendent Kemp said: “It was a privilege to be able to recognise the work of so many people who have demonstrated their passion and outstanding commitment to keeping the people of Brighton and Hove, and those who visit our wonderful city, safe.”

He praised “the high calibre and selfless commitment regularly shown by my officers and staff”.

Officers, staff and colleagues in organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service were also thanked by the Chief Constable Martin Richards.

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Denise Cobb, presented the awards. She said: “The dedication and bravery shown by the officers is incredible and their awards are well deserved.

“The city is safer for their efforts and I am grateful to them for their work.”