A former Beccles schoolgirl has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in the New Year’s Honours List.

Steph Morgan grew up in Worlingham and attended Sir John Leman High School in Beccles where she was deputy head girl.

After leaving school she continued her education at the universities of Winchester, Maine USA and Portsmouth.

Her time in the police force has been spent mainly in the Hampshire and Leicestershire forces, holding the positions of deputy chief constable and assistant chief constable.

She is currently police advisor for the Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner.

Ms Morgan said: “I’m very proud and honoured to receive the QPM.

“I was lucky enough to serve in two of the best forces in the country and learnt from some wonderful role models who encouraged me to be the best I could be.

“The police leaders and colleagues I’ve worked with have put service before self, and communities have always come first.

“I like to think I’ve learnt from them during the course of my career.”

Leicestershire Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “I am delighted that the achievements of Steph are being recognised with a Queen’s Police Medal.

“Throughout her career Steph has been a powerful advocate for local policing and partnership working and has continued to be so in her current role as an advisor to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“During her time at Hampshire and here at Leicestershire Police, she led the way in ensuring policing is inclusive of all, particularly in relation to the LGBT communities and it is great to see this acknowledged.”