Ten police officers who helped put a gang of drug dealers behind bars for 27 years have been honoured.

They worked on Operation Missile, a covert drug operation targeting dealers of crack cocaine and heroin in Brighton.

Known on the streets as The Londoners, the dealers sold wraps from the window of a flat in Whitehawk like sweets, in full view of neighbours.

The Londoners, from Brighton and Brixton, had become the biggest drug dealers in the area.

The Brighton police Crime and Drugs Unit, which busted both teams, said it was already working on those who took over from The Londoners to deal in high-grade drugs.

The supply came from London and couriers would commute to Brighton to ply their trade. The last three gang members were jailed at Lewes Crown Court in October.

The ten officers receiving divisional congratulations were Acting Detective Inspector Paul Fullwood, who led the inquiry, and detective constables Justin Hambloch, Paul Davison, Steven Grainger, Mo Dando, Brian Bulwer, Chris Nolan, Gary Firmager, Linda Bond and Pat Sweeney.

Two women officers received divisional congratulations for arresting a man after a domestic violence incident.

PC Donna Bagguley attended a Brighton address where a woman had been attacked with a knife, bottle and a brick and arrested the offender.

PC Beaney helped the victim, who suffered serious head injuries.

Detective constables David Walker, Daniel Stevens, Mo Dando and Brian Bulwer, PC Timothy Rylatt and sergeants Jayne Short and Steve French all received certificates for detecting 23 car offences.

The offender was charged with 20 counts of theft and three stolen cars were returned to their owners.

PC Arthur Ross was congratulated for helping a security guard deal with drunken and aggressive youths while off-duty at Asda, Brighton Marina.

PC Ross, who was with his family at the time, was assaulted during the scuffle.