A TOWN centre police officer has been named as the borough's top cop.

PC Darin Patrick was named the annual Thieves Award Officer by the historic Colchester Thieves association.

The association began in 1783, before police forces began and 57 years before Essex Police was formed and the full name is Colchester Association for the Protection of Property

The group met at the Moot Hall to welcome new members, present cheques to charities, hand over the Thieves Award to PC Patrick and toast The Queen, Colchester and the association.

PC Patrick, who is a member of the Colchester Town Team, scooped the award for his proactive police work in Colchester town centre.

He was congratulated by Chief Constable BJ Harrington, district commander Chief Insp Rob Huddleston and Sgt Stuart Austin who leads to the town centre team.