POLICE officers, staff and members of the public were invited to pray for the police during a national day of prayer for forces and officers.

The Essex Police branch of the Christian Police Association, known as CPA, worked alongside Chelmsford Prayer 24-7 to run a prayer space at the force's headquarters.

The centre, based in the Essex Police training school, was open from midday until 6pm for members of the Christian community to come together.

PC Rob Hance, branch leader of the Essex Police branch of the CPA, said: “Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer for Police Day and we invited inviting Christian communities, both in the force and members of the public, to come together to pray for police officers, police staff and our police force in general.”

David Gilbey, a former police officer and leader of Chelmsford Prayer 24-7, said: “It was great to be supporting this national day and to be working with the Essex CPA branch.”