The police team that brought the killer of Greenhithe schoolgirl Claire Tiltman to justice after almost 22 years has been commended.

Officers involved in solving one of Kent's biggest murder investigations were recognised for their pivotal role in the conviction of former Swanscombe milkman Colin Ash-Smith last year.

Claire, 16, was brutally stabbed in an alleyway off London Road, Greenhithe, in January 1993 as she walked to a friend's house from her home in nearby Woodward Terrace, Stone.

Ash-Smith was a long-term suspect and serving a life sentence for two other near-fatal knife attacks on women when the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate held a cold case review in 2013.

The team built up a complex and detailed case against the knife-obsessed loner, which included thorough reviews of earlier investigations into Claire's death, as well as searches of Ash-Smith's prison cell and the home of his parents in Swanscombe.

He was eventually charged with Claire's murder on the day he was due to be

considered for release by the parole board.

Ash-Smith, now 47, denied murder but was convicted after a six-week trial at the Inner London Crown Court in December last year and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 21 years.

Last night, in a ceremony hosted by the Chief Constable of Kent Alan Pughsley at the Kent Police Training School in Maidstone, four of the investigating team were honoured, including Det Supt Rob Vinson, Det Con Andrew Jobes and retired Det Insp David Withers.

Det Supt Vinson served as senior investigating officer for the case and Det Con Jobes was the officer in charge.

Mr Withers, now a review officer with the major crime unit, worked as the deputy senior investigating officer and supervised the team.

Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: "The team showed tremendous drive, attention to detail and tenaciousness to bring this case to its conclusion.

"It is thanks to them Ash-Smith has been brought to justice and they are more than worthy of this commendation."

Det Supt Vinson said at the end of the trial the team had worked meticulously in bringing the “pure evil predator” to justice.

Sadly, both Claire’s parents, Cliff and Lin, died before their daughter’s killer was caught but one of the Dartford Grammar schoolgirl's friends, Emma Edwards, from Gravesend, said of the award: “I want to publicly thank the officers for their compassion and commitment.”

Ash-Smith is appealing against his conviction at the Court of Appeal in London next week.

Several other Kent officers also received the chief’s commendation.

DC Rebecca Taft received the same award for her role in bringing Vijay Bundhun, a former support nurse for The Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, to justice.

She took responsibility for the investigation and found Bundhun, 42, of Tonford Lane, Thanington, had abused his position of trust to target a number of vulnerable victims.

In August this year he was convicted of rape and nine sexual assault offences. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

DC Claire Bassett also received one for her role in a highly sensitive child abuse investigation which saw a man sentenced to 25 years.

Finally, Alamgir Sheriyar, from Central Investigation Command, and Dr Jane Reeves, were commended for creating ‘Zak,’ a piece of software that simulates a social media website.

Teachers are able to use this in the classroom to help educate pupils on extremism, radicalisation and internet safety.