The new Deputy Chief Constable for Essex Police says she is “very proud” to take on the role.

Pippa Mills replaces Matt Horne, who has left to join the Met, and started her new role last week.

She joined Essex Police as an assistant chief constable in 2017, after 20 years in the Met where she was part of the command teams for a royal wedding, the Queen’s diamond jubilee and the London Olympics.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to starting this new role, stepping up to lead some really key areas in policing and enabling me to gain an even greater understanding of the county of Essex, which is where I was born and grew up.”

Chief constable BJ Harrington said: “I’m really pleased to have Pippa as my deputy and look forward to continuing to work closely with her.”

“We have a strong chief officer team in Essex and we all work together to lead the force the best we can and support you all to deliver a safe county.

“I am pleased that an existing member of the team has been appointed as this means that strong working relationships and the tremendous contribution of the whole team can go on from strength to strength.”