SENIOR police officers who investigated the tragic deaths of 39 migrants found in the back of a lorry have been honoured with the Queen’s Police Medal.

Tragedy struck south Essex in October 2019 when the Vietnamese migrants suffocated in the sealed container on route from Zeebrugge to Purfleet.

Det Chief Insp Martin Pasmore, Chief Supt Stuart Hooper and Det Insp Michelle Stoten have all been named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour list.

In addition, Det Chief Insp Jasmine Frost, who was influential in a 20-hour negotiation during a siege in Southend in 2010, also received the high praise for being involved in 200 incidents since 2009.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington led tributes to his team saying: “Last year has been a challenging year in many respects and it’s amazing to kick off 2021 with our officers and staff getting recognition for their dedication to the communities of Essex and beyond.

“It’s a privilege to see these individuals honoured in this way – they’re an inspiration to us all, and stories like these make me especially proud.”

Det Chief Insp Pasmore – who has now retired – was tasked with leading the victim identification process and oversaw the victims’ journey from inside the lorry to the mortuary, to them being identified and reunited with their loved ones.

Chief Supt Hooper helped to lead the investigation into the lorry deaths and brought together key agencies and law enforcement partners from nine other countries to get justice.

Family liaison co-ordinator, Det Insp Stoten, liaised with the Vietnamese government and enlisted the help of translators and experienced family liaison officers to gain the trust of the victims’ families, as well a deputising in the identification process.

Other Essex Police members who were honoured include Det Chief Insp Jasmine Frost, who was influential in a 20-hour negotiation during a siege in Southend in 2010, also received the high praise for being involved in 200 incidents since 2009. Jennifer Brouard was named as a Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM). The Citizens in Policing Manager got the award for services to policing and the voluntary sector.