More than 30 men and women from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate were honoured at a ceremony at North Kent Police Station, Northfleet, on Thursday 24 May 2018.

Among the recipients were Detective Constable Lisa James and finance intelligence officer Alexandra Cannon for their work on a case involving a man convicted of carrying out a number of rapes in the Tunbridge Wells area in 2016.

One of the victims was only 17 and fragile from the outset of the investigation, but thanks to the support provided by DC James gained the confidence to give compelling evidence against the man, who in October 2017 was jailed for 20 years.

FIO Cannon was recognised for the key part she played in helping to disprove the offender’s defence that his victims were consenting partners.