AN EAST Herts-based detective sergeant has received one of the highest accolades for police employees from the Metropolitan Police for his work on a murder case.

Det Sgt Dave Laming, who will very shortly become acting Detective Inspector at East Herts Division, was awarded a Commendation Certificate for his efforts on a north London murder case.

It was presented by Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (area two) Paul Manning, for outstanding diligence and detective ability in a difficult and protracted murder investigation.

While working for the Metropolitan Police from 1990 to 1997, Mr Laming was chosen as part of a select team of officers working on an unsolved murder, reopened after 13 years.

The original enquiry centred on the murder in Bishops Avenue, Hampstead and lasted five years but proved unsuccessful.

The new team painstakingly re-examined a huge volume of information and gathered additional evidence to enable them to make an arrest. A decision is awaited from the Crown Prosecution Service as to whether the case will proceed.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: The manner in which they approached their task and their ability to identify new evidence and witnesses over a considerable passage of time is a testimony to their expertise, dedication and professionalism.

Mr Laming, who is 39, lives near Hertford, and returned to the county last summer to East Herts Division as a sergeant.

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