Church service for murdered policeman

Hundreds of people attend service in memory of PC Ian Dibell. Credit: ITV Anglia

A special church service has been held in Clacton today- to help people in the community affected by the murder of PC Ian Dibell.

The off-duty police officer is believed to have intervened in a dispute near to his home in the town. Peter Reeve, the suspected gunman, was found dead in a churchyard in Writtle the next morning.

It's been a hugely difficult week for people living in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex. Today, members of the small seaside town community were invited to come here and reflect, and receive help coming to terms with what's happened.

Six days ago, PC Ian Dibell, 41, was shot dead with a single bullet to the chest while off duty. St John's Church is just a few minutes away from where the murder took place.

Among those grieving were his colleagues at Essex Police, who have described him as an extraordinary man and an exceptional police officer. The force is continuing to investigate his murder, in particular how Peter Reeve got hold of a gun, and how he managed to travel 40 miles to Writtle.