The Home Secretary surprised the latest cohort of new police officers in Hertfordshire when she arrived to watch their special passing out parade.

Priti Patel joined the family and friends of 18 student police officers yesterday in celebrating the end of their initial training at Hertfordshire Constabulary’s headquarters in Welwyn Garden City.

Chief Constable Charlie Hall officially welcomed them and presented the officers with framed certificates, with Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd and his deputy Lewis Cocking also in attendance.

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The student officers now start their first postings with three each based in Watford and Hertsmere and the rest spread across other parts of the county.

Chief Constable Hall said: “It is always a great pleasure to welcome new police officers into the Hertfordshire police family.

“You can see the pride in the faces of their parents, family and friends in the audience. Pride at what they have already achieved by becoming a police officer and pride in what they will achieve during their long and rewarding policing careers."